Observtion of Hunga Tonga Volcanic Eruption Using Hyperspectral Infrared Satellite Sensors

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption, with the largest eruption occurring on 15 January 2022, ejected unprecedented amounts of water vapor (H
2
O) and SO
2
into the stratosphere. Using the hyperspectral infrared sounder CrIS on S-NPP and JPSS-1 (also NOAA-20), we present some unique features of the spectral near 9.6 μm and its great potential value for detecting plumes or clouds with tops near or above tropopause. We identified the existence of two umbrella clouds and observed the continued westward propagation of the upper plume even 8-9 hours after the eruption onset, as well as its dissipation from two CrIS observations onboard JPSS-1 and S-NPP taken in 50 minutes apart. Using a new Single Field-of-view Sounder Atmospheric Products (SiFSAP) from CrIS and ATMS on JPSS-1, which has a high spatial resolution of about 14 km, this study analyzes the impact of Hunga Tonga eruption on the distribution of temperature, H
2
O and ozone near the tropopause. These results demonstrate the value of hyperspectral infrared sounder and its single-field-view retrieval products for monitoring the volcanic eruptions and their impact on the lower stratosphere.