References

ACPD

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions

ACPD

1680-7375

Copernicus GmbH

Göttingen, Germany

10.5194/acpd-7-4657-2007

Long range transport and fate of a stratospheric volcanic cloud from Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat

Prata

A. J.

¹ Carn

S. A.

² Stohl

¹ Kerkmann

Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), P.O. Box 100, 2027 Kjeller, Norway

Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA

European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), Am Kavalleriesand 31, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany

03 04 2007

7 2 4657 4672

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Volcanic eruptions emit gases, ash particles and hydrometeors into the atmosphere, occasionally reaching great heights to reside in the stratospheric overworld where they affect the radiative balance of the atmosphere and the earth's climate. Here we use satellite measurements and a Lagrangian particle dispersion model to determine the mass loadings, vertical penetration, horizontal extent, dispersion and transport of volcanic gases and particles in the stratosphere from the volcanic cloud emitted during the 20 May 2006 eruption of Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat, West Indies. Infrared, ultraviolet and microwave radiation measurements from two polar orbiters are used to quantify the gases and particles, and track the movement of the cloud for 23 days, over a distance of ~18 000 km. Approximately, 0.1±0.01 Tg(S) was injected into the stratosphere in the form of SO2: the largest single sulfur input to the stratosphere in 2006. Microwave Limb Sounder measurements indicate an enhanced mass of HCl of ~0.003–0.01 Tg. Geosynchronous satellite data reveal the rapid nature of the stratospheric injection and indicate that the eruption cloud contained ~2 Tg of ice, with very little ash reaching the stratosphere. These new satellite measurements of volcanic gases and particles can be used to test the sensitivity of climate to volcanic forcing and assess the impact of stratospheric sulfates on climate cooling.

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