Gas Climate II - Examples

Question 1

Significance of Laki, Iceland (1783) Eruption

Answer 1

Largest historical basaltic eruption (8 months) with the largest historic cooling from a volcanic eruption. (1 degree C in Northern Hemisphere)

80 megatons of sulfuric acid aerosols released; acidity killed 75% of livestock and famine killed 24% of population.

Question 2

Significance of Tambora, Indonesia (1815)

Answer 2

Largest historical eruption.

Aerosols and ash concentration caused total darkness for 3 days spanning 200 miles.
Caused a 1-2.5 degree C temp drop in New England and Western Europe.

Question 3

Signfiicance of Krakatau, Indonesia (1883)

Answer 3

SO2 and ash in atmosphere caused Orange Haze Effect that was visible over 70% of the globe. The noise of eruption was heard 3000 miles away.
0.4 degree C global temp decrease.

Question 4

Significance of Pinatubo (1991)

Answer 4

Injected over 15 million tons of SO2 in atmosphere.
0.5 - 0.6 degree C decrease in Northern Hemisphere
0.1 degree C global decrease