X-Raying Neutral Density Disturbances in the Mesosphere and Lower
Thermosphere induced by the 2022 Hunga-Tonga Volcano Eruption
Abstract
We present X-ray observations of the upper atmospheric density
disturbance caused by the explosive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga
Ha’apai (HTHH) volcano on 15 January 2022. From 14 January to 16
January, the Chinese X-ray astronomy satellite, Insight-HXMT, was
observing the supernova remnant Cassiopeia~A. The X-ray
data obtained during Earth’s atmospheric occultations allowed us to
measure neutral densities in the altitude range of
$\sim$90–150\,km. The density profiles
above 110\,km altitude obtained before the major eruption
are in reasonable agreement with expectations by both GAIA and
NRLMSIS~2.0 models. In contrast, after the HTHH eruption
we found a severe density depletion at 500–1,000\,km
away from the epicenter, and a relatively weak depletion extending up to
$\sim7,000$\,km for over 8\,hr
after the eruption. In addition, density profiles showed wavy structures
with a typical length scale of either
$\sim$20\,km (vertical) or
$\sim$1,000\,km (horizontal). This may
reflect gravity waves triggered by the volcanic eruption.