Analysis of the Impact of The Hunga-Tonga Eruption on January 15, 2022, on Ionospheric Disturbances Using GNSS TEC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2026.5.7Keywords:
HTHH eruption, GNSS, Lamb Waves, Internal Gravity WavesAbstract
This study investigates global ionospheric disturbances triggered by the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) eruption using high-resolution GNSS-TEC data from 25 observation stations. Spectral analysis identifies a complex multi-period structure comprising four distinct wave components. Period I, interpreted as a Lamb wave and the primary energy carrier, propagated with a horizontal phase velocity of 330.9 ± 4.3 m/s. Period II, representing the transition from supersonic shock waves to global-scale gravity waves, exhibited a velocity of 270.6 ± 19.7 m/s. Period III, associated with atmospheric gravity waves, propagated at 253.6 ± 19.0 m/s, while period IV, linked to vertical acoustic resonance, showed a velocity of 358.2 ± 14.0 m/s. A notable observation is the presence of extreme amplitude anomalies at the HKSL (Hong Kong) station, reaching up to 25.0 TECU. This enhancement is attributed to constructive interactions between the propagating waves and local ionospheric electrodynamics, particularly the Pre-Reversal Enhancement (PRE) phenomenon. In contrast, the near-source region is characterised by ionospheric depletion (ionospheric hole) caused by strong shock-acoustic impulses. These findings highlight that the intensity of volcanic-induced ionospheric disturbances is strongly controlled by local electrodynamic conditions. Moreover, the observed velocity differences between ionospheric disturbances and oceanic tsunamis demonstrate the potential of GNSS-TEC as a complementary approach for future volcanic tsunami hazard monitoring.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Paisa Paisa, Buldan Muslim, Satria Bijaksana, Rizal Suryana, Khalil Ibrahim, Ulvienin Harlianti
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