Tonga volcano eruption blasted millions of tons of water into space

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga undersea volcano in the Pacific Ocean early this year was so powerful that it sent a massive plume of water vapor into space, according to research released Monday. A volcano launching water beyond the atmosphere had never before been observed by scientists. The research underscores the unusually violent nature of the eruption — and highlights the broader risks from undersea volcanoes. Sharon Walker is quoted from the AGU Press Conference held on Monday, December 12.