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Extended observations of volcanic SO2 and sulfate aerosol in the stratosphere
1Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
2Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) center, UMBC, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
3Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), PO Box 100, 2027 Kjeller, Norway
4Montserrat Volcano Observatory, Flemming, Montserrat, WI, USA
5British Geological Survey, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA, UK
6Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), 3730 AE De Bilt, The Netherlands
Abstract. Sulfate aerosol produced after injection of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the stratosphere by volcanic eruptions can trigger climate change. We present new satellite data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) missions that reveal the composition, structure and longevity of a stratospheric SO2 cloud and derived sulfate layer following a modest eruption (0.2 Tg total SO2) of Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat on 20 May 2006. The SO2 cloud alone was tracked for over 3 weeks and a distance of over 20 000 km; unprecedented for an eruption of this size. Derived sulfate aerosol at an altitude of ~20 km had circled the globe by 22 June and remained visible in CALIPSO data until at least 6 July. These synergistic NASA A-Train observations permit a new appreciation of the potential effects of frequent, small-to-moderate volcanic eruptions on stratospheric composition and climate.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 8144 KB) Supplement (1332 KB) Interactive Discussion (Final Response, 4 Comments)
Citation: Carn, S. A., Krotkov, N. A., Yang, K., Hoff, R. M., Prata, A. J., Krueger, A. J., Loughlin, S. C., and Levelt, P. F.: Extended observations of volcanic SO2 and sulfate aerosol in the stratosphere, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 7, 2857-2871, 2007. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager
