The explosion of a giant underwater volcano leaves a huge hole in the sea floor, according to a new study

AN UNDERWATER volcano has left a huge crater in the seafloor, according to a new study.

The Tongan volcano erupted earlier this year, causing the largest atmospheric explosion on Earth in over 100 years.

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Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcano’s crater hole is now 2.5 miles wide and drops 2,789 feet, according to a BBC report.

It fell just 492 feet before the massive explosion.

That’s an amazing 2,297 feet difference.

Fortunately, the volcano is not expected to have another similar eruption for the next 100 years.

Scientists from New Zealand’s National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research say the eruption moved a large amount of seabed material.

So much material that, taken together, it would be five times the size of the Empire State Building.

In all, 3,088 square miles of seafloor are said to have changed.

Prof Shane Cronin of the University of Auckland told the BBC: “If all of Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga, were scraped at sea level, it would only fill two-thirds of the caldera.”

A caldera is the hole that forms after a volcanic eruption.

Researchers decided to map Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai to provide recommendations for future eruptions.

The January 15 eruption was deadly, generating tsunami waves up to 50 feet.

Homes were completely destroyed and many survivors were left without access to essential supplies.