Huge submarine eruptions impact global climate but produce low atmospheric sulfur outputs

Abstract

Calculation of the sulfur and water budgets released from magma during the 2022 eruption of Hunga volcano — the largest submarine eruption recorded — shows that of 18.8 Tg of sulfur dioxide released, <7% entered the atmosphere. The remaining sulfur dioxide dissolved in the ocean during explosive magma fragmentation at 400–1,000 m below sea level.