The Effect of Volcanic Eruptions on Climate
The Effect of Volcanic Eruptions on Climate
Introduction
Recently there has been a lot of research in the field of climate change, and much of it is focused on anthropogenic affects on climate. However, there has also been a great deal of research focused on natural Earth processes and how they affect the climate (Robock 2000). One natural process which significantly impacts climate is volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions affect the climate of the earth in many ways (Zielinski et al 1997). Volcanic ash ejected during eruptions effect climate by reflecting solar rays back into space, and thus cooling the surface of the Earth. Another way volcanoes affect the Earth’s climate, is the emission of many different types of volcanic gasses. Volcanic gasses including CO2, H2O vapour, and different kinds of sulfur gasses such SO2 and H2S, affect the climate in very different ways (Robock 2000). CO2 and H2O vapour generally act as green house gasses and work towards heating the Earth’s surface temperature. Sulfuric gasses affect climate in more complicated ways which is mainly a function of the concentrations of these gasses in the atmosphere (Ward 2009). This paper will examine the role volcanic eruptions have in affecting climate through the ejection of volcanic ash and the emission of different volcanic gasses including CO2, H2O vapour, and sulfuric compounds, and the impact certain historic volcanoes have had on climate by ejecting all of these kinds of particles.
Effects of Volcanic Ash on Climate
When Volcanoes erupt they eject large amounts of volcanic ash into the atmosphere (Robock 2000). These particles generally stay in the atmosphere for only a couple of weeks to a couple months. After this time they settle out of the air and become deposited in between sedimentary beds However, while these particles are in the atmosphere they spread around the globe very quickly and affect the earth’s climate for the short term of their suspension.
When the ash is
Introduction
Recently there has been a lot of research in the field of climate change, and much of it is focused on anthropogenic affects on climate. However, there has also been a great deal of research focused on natural Earth processes and how they affect the climate (Robock 2000). One natural process which significantly impacts climate is volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions affect the climate of the earth in many ways (Zielinski et al 1997). Volcanic ash ejected during eruptions effect climate by reflecting solar rays back into space, and thus cooling the surface of the Earth. Another way volcanoes affect the Earth’s climate, is the emission of many different types of volcanic gasses. Volcanic gasses including CO2, H2O vapour, and different kinds of sulfur gasses such SO2 and H2S, affect the climate in very different ways (Robock 2000). CO2 and H2O vapour generally act as green house gasses and work towards heating the Earth’s surface temperature. Sulfuric gasses affect climate in more complicated ways which is mainly a function of the concentrations of these gasses in the atmosphere (Ward 2009). This paper will examine the role volcanic eruptions have in affecting climate through the ejection of volcanic ash and the emission of different volcanic gasses including CO2, H2O vapour, and sulfuric compounds, and the impact certain historic volcanoes have had on climate by ejecting all of these kinds of particles.
Effects of Volcanic Ash on Climate
When Volcanoes erupt they eject large amounts of volcanic ash into the atmosphere (Robock 2000). These particles generally stay in the atmosphere for only a couple of weeks to a couple months. After this time they settle out of the air and become deposited in between sedimentary beds However, while these particles are in the atmosphere they spread around the globe very quickly and affect the earth’s climate for the short term of their suspension.
When the ash is
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