Tonga's volcano sent tons of water into the stratosphere. That could warm the Earth

When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted on Jan. 15, it sent the equivalent of more than 58,000 Olympic-size swimming pools' worth of water into the stratosphere, researchers say. (Tonga Geological Services)

The violent eruption of Tonga's Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano injected an unprecedented amount of water directly into the stratosphere — and the vapor will stay there for years, likely affecting the Earth's climate patterns, NASA scientists say.

The massive amount of water vapor is roughly 10% of the normal amount of vapor found in the stratosphere, equaling more than 58,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.