A volcanic eruption sent enough water vapor into the stratosphere to cause a rapid change in chemistry

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And it’s not only the water vapor that’s coming in staggering amounts. Anyone who has ever looked at what amounts of CO2 such a big volcano spews into the air will quickly find that every day of an eruption of a big one wipes out the carbon budget of entire industrial countries. And what we see is the tip of the fireberg. Most volcanic eruptions happen under the sea and are hence not seen readily. But they are still there and they still emit what they emit. Compared to the annual volcanic CO2 budget, human emissions look quaintly tiny. Even if we shut down all industrial economies to the level of 500 years ago, a few volcanos will wipe out the savings in the blink of an eye. 

A volcanic eruption sent enough water vapor into the stratosphere to cause a rapid change in chemistry - NOAA Research
A volcanic eruption sent enough water vapor into the stratosphere to cause a rapid change in chemistry - NOAA Research

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano on January 15, 2022, produced the largest underwater explosion ever recorded by modern scientific instruments, blasting an enormous amount of water and volcanic gases higher than any…
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