Although they don't impact the surface directly, historical evidence and simulations suggest airbursts can pack a punch.

It noted that disturbances in the atmosphere were detected after the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano around 1 p.m. on Jan. 15. The resulting air pressure waves reached near ...

Travelling at more than 1,000 km/hour, two atmospheric pressure waves from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption traveled completely around the world, spreading huge sonic wave sounds ...