Volcanic Eruption Reveals Natural Methane Breakdown Process

Researchers analyzing the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption found that volcanic ash and salty water vapor created chlorine atoms that broke down methane in the atmosphere. This natural process resulted in a detectable formaldehyde cloud, suggesting a chemical pathway for removing potent greenhouse gases from the sky. The discovery has sparked discussion about potential geoengineering strategies, such as injecting iron-based particles into the atmosphere to replicate this effect. However, scientists warn that such interventions could have unpredictable impacts on air quality and global ecological systems.