Name: Hidden Volcano Abyss
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In January 2022, one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history rocked the islands of Tonga. Join scientists as they investigate what caused the blast, how it spurred a devastating tsunami, and if another eruption could be imminent.

Investigate one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history.

Hidden Volcano Abyss

Hidden Volcano Abyss Preview

At 5:15pm on January 15, 2022, satellites recorded the volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai blast a cloud of ash and rocks into the atmosphere. Within minutes, tsunami waves crashed into the South Pacific nation of Tonga. These are the stories of some of the survivors.

Hear witnesses share how they survived the most explosive event ever recorded on Earth.

Witnesses Recount Surviving a Volcanic Explosion

The volcano that produced one the most powerful eruptions in history has a twin, and it’s more active than scientists thought.

Volcanologists visit Tofua to study the volcano’s activity.

Scientists Make Rare Discovery in Active Volcano

On January 15, 2022, an underwater volcano erupted off the shores of the Pacific islands of Tonga—the most explosive event ever recorded on Earth. The blast triggered a massive tsunami with waves over 60 feet high. Here's how it happened.

The most explosive event ever recorded on Earth—and the massive tsunami that followed.

How an Underwater Volcano Produced a 60-Foot Tsunami

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Hunga Volcano Eruption captured at 1155am 30th December 2021

In January 2022, one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history rocked the Pacific islands of Tonga, sending shockwaves around the world. Through first-person accounts of the disaster and eyewitness footage, experience the terrifying power of the eruption and the devastating tsunami that struck the shores of Tonga. Why was this eruption so big, how did it cause the tsunami, and could another disaster loom? (Premiered May 10, 2023)

Investigate one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history.

Planet Earth

US & Territories

Colossal explosions shake a remote corner of the Siberian tundra, leaving behind massive craters. In Alaska, a huge lake erupts with bubbles of inflammable gas. Scientists are discovering that these mystifying phenomena add up to a ticking time bomb, as long-frozen permafrost melts and releases vast amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. What are the implications of these dramatic developments in the Arctic? Scientists and local communities alike are struggling to grasp the scale of the methane threat and what it means for our climate future. (Premiered February 2, 2022)

In the Arctic, enormous releases of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, threaten the climate.

Arctic Sinkholes

The top half of Jupiter in blue and green against a night sky

A composite image of Jupiter using images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Judy Schmidt.

Explore the cosmos, delve into ancient history, and follow an extreme rescue with NOVA’s most-watched documentaries released in 2022.

NOVA’s most popular science documentaries of 2022

Four bright orange loops brand off of a dark blue blob

A transmission electron micrograph of HIV-1 virus particles (orange) replicating from the plasma membrane of an infected H9 T cell. Credit: NIAID, Flickr

Scientists have cured a handful of people of HIV by piggybacking on treatments they received for blood cancer. But does that bring a widespread cure any closer?

Hidden Volcano Abyss

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Why Tonga’s volcanic eruption was so destructive

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Kilauea Volcano Erupts

Volcano on Fire

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Volcano on the Brink

How Ocean Waves Can Help Keep Tabs on This Italian Supervolcano

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Participants

Support Provided By

Explore More

Doomsday Volcanoes

Why Tonga’s volcanic eruption was so destructive

Plate Tectonics and Volcanoes

Meet the Volcanoes

Exploring Antarctica's Active Volcano Mt. Erebus

Tale of Two Volcanoes

Yellowstone Supervolcano May Erupt Sooner Than Anticipated

Witnesses Recount Surviving a Volcanic Explosion

Drone Monitoring of Volcanoes Could Improve Warning Times

Deadliest Volcanoes

Scientists Make Rare Discovery in Active Volcano

Hidden Volcano Abyss

Kilauea Volcano Erupts

Volcano on Fire

How Volcanoes Affect Earth's Climate Over Millions of Years

Volcano on the Brink

How Ocean Waves Can Help Keep Tabs on This Italian Supervolcano