Presumably, recently, everyone has been paying attention to the "Tonga Volcano", right?
On January 14 and 15, local time, volcanoes near tonga in the South Pacific island nation erupted violently for two consecutive days, while the entire Pan Pacific coastal area was also affected, and many countries also issued tsunami warnings.
At present, according to media reports, the volcano has caused 3 deaths, volcanic ash has polluted the water source of the entire Tonga, all families are facing difficulties in drinking water, and crops have also suffered devastating blows.
(Tonga volcanic eruption photo/video screenshot)
How big is this eruption?
The volcanic eruption in Tonga is equivalent to the explosion of 1,000 atomic bombs, and the island of Aha Apai in Tonga, where the volcano is located, has basically sunk to the bottom of the sea due to the cover of volcanic ash.
(Source Chinese meteorologists)
The lake in the middle of the island that many people see is only part of the crater, and even this island is only the tip of the iceberg of the huge volcano.
The impact of the volcanic eruption also swept across the sea in an instant, directly expanding into a huge ring with a diameter of at least 2,000 kilometers, sweeping across the surrounding millions of square kilometers of ocean.
What is even more worrying for human beings is that the eruption is not over, and the active period of the eruption may last for weeks or even years.
It is obvious that in the face of the forces of nature, human beings are so weak and powerless, and civilization is so small.
What health threats does a volcanic eruption pose to humanity?
At present, the registration of volcanic eruptions in Tonga has not been determined, most of them are at the top of the VEI's 5th class, and a few are believed to be at the bottom of the VEI's 6th level. Super volcanic eruptions of magnitude 5 and above are actually rare, with a total of 11 since the 19th century.
If the eruption level is 6, it may be the largest eruption in nearly 30 years.
Volcanic eruptions, usually the most direct impact is volcanic ash, although nominally ash, but in fact is a delicate rock, when the thickness accumulates to a certain extent, it will crush the building.
Volcanic ash, in turn, can affect the respiratory system of humans and animals, and the smaller the diameter of the ash particles, the deeper the parts that enter the respiratory tract.
For example, 10 microns in diameter is enough to deposit particles in the upper respiratory tract, while 5 microns in diameter can enter the deep part of the respiratory tract, and 2 microns or less can penetrate 100% deep into the bronchi and alveoli.
When the particulate matter in the volcanic ash is absorbed, it will continue to accumulate in the respiratory system, causing many diseases, such as coarse particulate matter will invade the human respiratory system and induce asthma. Fine particulate matter can cause heart disease, lung disease, respiratory disease, and lung function will also be impaired.
The risk is greatest for the elderly, children, and sensitive people with heart and lung diseases.
However, the eruption of the Tonga volcano, although it is powerful, because it is an eruption on the seabed, in addition to producing volcanic ash, it will also cause earthquakes and tsunamis.
Under the action of several kilometers of seawater, the scale of the sponge spewed by the volcano has also decreased, the height of the volcanic ash has also been reduced, and it has also entered the stratosphere of 20 kilometers, and the harmful gases have also decreased.
In addition, Tonga is located at 20° south latitude, the main scope of influence is concentrated in Australia, New Zealand and South America, the impact on the northern hemisphere is not large, but it still needs to be finally observed when it will end and whether it will erupt in the future.
In addition to volcanic ash, the volcano will also erupt a large number of toxic gases, such as fluoride and chloride, which will go down the hillside, and the residents of the affected areas will be in danger of death.
At the same time, there are lava flows of about 1000 degrees Celsius with volcanic ash, and any lava flow or debris that can reach the place is almost devastating, but fortunately, its damage is usually local.
The eruption may be just a warning of environmental degradation
Volcanic eruptions may only cause temperatures to drop for a short time, but global warming is the trend, and the gases from volcanic eruptions are also an important source of greenhouse gas emissions, and even exacerbate the greenhouse effect.
You know, the change of short-term climate, for human beings, is a change in the development of civilization.
You know, the 80,000-level Dopa Volcano eruption 80,000 years ago changed the global climate, allowing the ancestors of mankind, --- Homo sapiens, to go out of Africa, defeat neanderthals, and create the existing brilliant civilization of mankind.
In the face of the moody forces of nature, human civilization is just a drop in the ocean.
A gasp of the earth, created an ancient civilization.
If there is a gasp, what other great changes in human history will be brought about?