New analysis produced by scientists from around the world, including NIWA, indicates the flows travelled up to 122km/h — up to 50% faster than any other recorded.
The eruption of Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai and the ensuing tsunami killed four people in Tonga after becoming the largest atmospheric explosion recorded by modern instruments.
Scientists say that material from the volcanic eruption collapsed into the ocean, triggering a huge surge of rock, ash, and gas that caused extensive damage to Tonga's underwater telecommunication cables some 80km away.
