A Volcano 6,000 Miles Away Shook Alaska’s Ground — Here’s How

In 2022, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted with such force that it sent powerful atmospheric pressure waves across the globe — all the way to Alaska, 6,000 miles away. These waves didn’t just pass by unnoticed… they actually shook the ground deep beneath Alaska’s surface.

Scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks seized this once-in-a-generation moment to study how seismic waves travel through the Earth’s crust. By analyzing the pressure waves' interaction with underground materials, they unlocked new insights into Alaska’s subsurface structure — data that could revolutionize earthquake detection, hazard analysis, and even underground mapping.

All from a volcanic boom on the other side of the world.
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