Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions
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2007
10.5194/acpd-7-2857-2007
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/2857/2007/
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/2857/2007/acpd-7-2857-2007.html
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/2857/2007/acpd-7-2857-2007.pdf
2857
2871
2007-02-23
Extended observations of volcanic SO<sub>2</sub> and sulfate aerosol in the stratosphere
S. A. Carn
scarn@umbc.edu
N. A. Krotkov
K. Yang
R. M. Hoff
A. J. Prata
A. J. Krueger
S. C. Loughlin
P. F. Levelt
Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) center, UMBC, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), PO Box 100, 2027 Kjeller, Norway
Montserrat Volcano Observatory, Flemming, Montserrat, WI, USA
British Geological Survey, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA, UK
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), 3730 AE De Bilt, The Netherlands
Sulfate aerosol produced after injection of sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) 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 SO<sub>2</sub> cloud and derived sulfate layer following a modest
eruption (0.2 Tg total SO<sub>2</sub>) of Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat on
20 May 2006. The SO<sub>2</sub> 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.
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