![]() Vertical gray bars indicate notable volcanic eruptions and their SO 2 emissions. The dashed horizontal line indicates the 5-Tg SO 2 emission threshold for a NASA eruption response. Red dots represent annual sulfur dioxide (SO 2) emissions in teragrams (Tg) from explosive volcanic eruptions as determined from satellite measurements. AOD is a measure of aerosol abundance in the atmosphere. In the top plot, the black curve represents monthly global mean stratospheric aerosol optical depth (AOD background is 0.004 or below) for green light (525 nanometers) from 1979 to 2018 from the Global Space-based Stratospheric Aerosol Climatology (GloSSAC). Get the most fascinating science news stories of the week in your inbox every Friday.įig. The sulfate aerosols linger in the stratosphere for a few years, reflecting some incoming solar radiation and thus reducing global average surface temperatures by as much as about 0.5☌ for 1–3 years, after which temperatures recover to preeruption levels. To affect global climate, an eruption must inject large quantities of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) or other sulfur species (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, H 2S) into the stratosphere, where they are converted to sulfuric acid (or sulfate) aerosols over weeks to months (Figure 1). However, the specific effects of eruptions depend on their magnitude, location, and the particular mix of materials ejected. This understanding is based on a few well-studied events in the satellite remote sensing era (e.g., Pinatubo) and on proxy records of older eruptions such as the 1815 eruption of Tambora in Indonesia. Scientists have a reasonable understanding of the fundamentals of how explosive volcanic eruptions influence climate and stratospheric ozone. Timely quantification of these emissions shortly after they erupt and as they disperse is needed to assess their potential climate effects. Major volcanic eruptions inject large amounts of gases, aerosols, and particulates into the atmosphere. #Recent volcanic eruptions 2021 drivers#Recognizing this value, NASA recently developed a volcanic eruption response plan to maximize the quantity and quality of observations it makes following eruptions, and it is facilitating continuing research into the drivers and behaviors of volcanic eruptions to further improve scientific eruption response efforts. These events also present critical opportunities to advance volcano science, and observations of large events with the potential to affect climate and life globally are particularly valuable. Rapid responses to major volcanic eruptions enable scientists to make timely, initial estimates of potential climate impacts (i.e., long-term effects) to assist responders in implementing mitigation efforts, including preparing for weather and climate effects in the few years following an eruption. Rapid responses to major volcanic eruptions enable scientists to make timely, initial estimates of potential climate impacts to assist responders in implementing mitigation efforts. As the institutional memory of these infrequent, but high-impact, events fades in this country and new generations of scientists assume responsibility for volcanic eruption responses, the geophysical community must remain prepared for coming eruptions, regardless of these events’ locations. It has also been more than 40 years since the last major explosive eruption in the conterminous United States, at Mount St. In addition to devastating much of the surrounding landscape and driving thousands of people to flee the area, the June 1991 eruption at Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines sent towering plumes of gas, ash, and particulates high into the atmosphere-materials that ultimately reduced average global surface temperatures by up to about 0.5☌ in 1991–1993. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the most recent volcanic eruption that had a measurable effect on global climate. ![]()
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