Statistical characteristics of volcanogenic tsunami waves in the northwestern Pacific region
Abstract
Relevance. The atmosphere and ionosphere serve as critical pathways for telecommunication systems, radionavigation, radar operations, remote radio sensing, and radio astronomy. The stability of these atmospheric and ionospheric channels is profoundly influenced by various high-energy natural and anthropogenic phenomena. Among these, volcanic activity stands out as a significant contributor.
The eruption of the Tonga volcano on January 15, 2022, caused notable disturbances across all subsystems of the Earth’s lithosphere, oceans, atmosphere, ionosphere, and magnetosphere, thereby affecting the parameters of radio communication channels. In particular, the eruption generated intense atmospheric waves and tsunami events. An in-depth study of these wave propagation phenomena is a pressing scientific challenge.
Objective The study aims to perform a statistical analysis of the characteristics of atmospheric and oceanic tsunami waves in the northwestern Pacific Ocean induced by the explosive eruption of the Tonga submarine volcano on January 15, 2022.
Methods. Statistical analysis of key parameters of tsunami waves of atmospheric and oceanic origin. Comparative evaluation of observational data with theoretical calculations.
Results. The analysis identified two groups of tsunami waves. The first group was of atmospheric origin, generated by the Lamb wave and propagating at a speed of about 312 m/s. This speed was consistent for stations located both in the open ocean and inland sea. The second group of tsunami waves was of oceanic origin, generated directly by the underwater explosion of the Tonga volcano and propagating at a speed of about 203 m/s for stations in the open ocean and about 180 m/s for stations in the inland sea. The height and amplitude of the tsunami varied widely (~1-100 cm) and were determined by the topology of the reservoir bottom and coastline, rather than the distance from the volcano. The ratio of tsunami height to amplitude averaged 2.07±0.32 and 1.98±0.60 for atmospheric and ocean waves, respectively, for stations located in the open ocean. For stations in the inland sea, these ratios were close to 2.24±0.55 and 2.08±0.34, respectively.
Conclusions. The study presents the main statistical characteristics of atmospheric and oceanic tsunami waves in the Northwest Pacific Ocean generated by the explosion of the Tonga volcano on January 15, 2022.
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References
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