Abstract
Volcanic tsunamis pose significant threats to nearby coastal communities. Despite extensive research, the mechanism behind tsunami generation remains unclear, and the ability to forecast a destructive tsunami has proven elusive. Here we present findings from the 2022 Tonga volcanic incident, showing that the leading air-pressure wave holds promise as a key predictor of tsunami behavior. We constructed an integrated atmosphere-ocean model to explain the underlying mechanism and validated it with various data, including satellite altimetry measurements. Contrary to prior hypotheses, our results reveal that: (1) the eruption process governs both the air-pressure and tsunami dynamics; and (2) the resulting crater volume controls the volcanic ejecta that produces the air-pressure waves, while the corresponding mass loss in the ocean triggers influxes of water into the crater, generating the tsunami. This study unveils a coupled atmosphere-ocean source mechanism in generating volcanic tsunamis and advocates for incorporating air-pressure sensors into early warning systems.
Published Version
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