Una columna volcánica destruyó metano de forma inesperada tras la erupción de 2022

11 de mayo de 2026

Reportado por IA

Científicos han descubierto que la erupción de 2022 de un volcán submarino en el Pacífico Sur desencadenó un proceso químico que eliminó cantidades significativas de metano de la atmósfera. El hallazgo, detallado en un nuevo estudio, muestra cómo la ceniza volcánica y el agua de mar se combinaron para descomponer este potente gas de efecto invernadero.

En enero de 2022, el volcán Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai produjo una poderosa erupción que lanzó ceniza y agua de mar hacia la estratosfera. Datos satelitales revelaron posteriormente concentraciones inusualmente altas de formaldehído dentro de la columna, una señal clara de que el metano estaba siendo destruido durante varios días. Los investigadores rastrearon la nube durante diez días mientras se desplazaba hacia América del Sur. El Dr. Maarten van Herpen, de Acacia Impact Innovation BV, señaló que la presencia continua de formaldehído indicó una descomposición de metano en curso durante más de una semana.

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