Antarctica bathed in dazzling colors after the eruption of the Tonga volcano

The great white continent of Antarctica has been ‘decorated’ with dazzling pink and plum hues. The remnants of Tonga Volcano’s volcanic dust cloud in the upper stratosphere are the likely cause of the stunning colors seen today at Scott Base, Antarctica.

Scientists working in Antarctica reported the phenomenon to New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric (Niwa) after finding that the same was happening in the world’s southernmost region.

“Usually in mid-winter, Antarctica is constantly dark, except for a slight ‘naval twilight’ around midday, which means the horizon is faintly visible in good conditions,” said Stuart Shaw, Antarctica New Zealand science technician. who is stationed at Scott Base and who took amazing pictures of the… burning sky.

“This year, however, we were treated to a spectacular sight that had most of the station staff running out with their cameras to witness the awesome colors. Believe it or not, I haven’t edited these colors either, they are pretty much as we saw them“, he said to the “Guardian” newspaper.

Data from satellite lidar – a laser radar – shows that there is an abundance of aerosols in the stratosphere above Antarctica, which did not exist before the eruption, said Nava Fedaeff, a Niwa worker.

“Aerosols in the stratosphere can circulate around the planet for months after a volcanic eruption, scattering and bending light as the sun sinks or rises below the horizon, creating a glow in the sky with shades of pink, blue, purple and violet».

Although Antarctica is about 7,000 kilometers from Tonga, we share the same sky, said Jordy Hendrikx, chief scientific advisor. “Much of the science we support is aimed at understanding these phenomena in the atmosphere, oceans and ecosystems, and better understanding the connectivity between Antarctica, New Zealand and the wider world».

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