Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions
www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net
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7
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2007
10.5194/acpd-7-4657-2007
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/4657/2007/
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/4657/2007/acpd-7-4657-2007.html
http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/4657/2007/acpd-7-4657-2007.pdf
4657
4672
2007-04-03
Long range transport and fate of a stratospheric volcanic cloud from Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat
A. J. Prata
fred.prata@nilu.no
S. A. Carn
A. Stohl
J. 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
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 SO<sub>2</sub>: 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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