Global Propagation of Ionospheric Disturbances Associated With the 2022 Tonga Volcanic Eruption

Abstract In this study, we use measurements from over 4,735 globally distributed Global Navigation Satellite System receivers to track the progression of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) associated with the 15 January 2022 Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcanic eruption. We identify two distinct Large Scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) and several subsequent Medium Scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) that propagate radially outward from the eruption site. Within 3,000 km of epicenter, LSTIDs of >1,600 km wavelengths are initially observed propagating at speeds of ∼950 and ∼555 ms −1 , before substantial slowing to ∼600 and ∼390 ms −1 , respectively. MSTIDs with…

• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Award: BIGF010001
• CS
  Canadian Space Agency

  Award: 21SUSTCHAI
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/V002643/1, NE/V002708/1, BIGF010001