How eruptions cool the earth's climate
- 6 years ago
PLANET EARTH — Did you know a mega hot eruption can lead to a temporarily cooler planet?
The New York Times reports NASA is developing plans to study how eruptions cool the planet.
The plan involves sending high-altitude balloons into the air to observe a volcanic eruption event. When sulfur dioxide from an eruption mixes with airborne water vapor, the two create aerosols that reflect sunlight.
In 1991, a volcanic eruption in the Philippines sent 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide planet's atmosphere. As a result, global temperatures cooled by one degrees centigrade.
The New York Times reports NASA is developing plans to study how eruptions cool the planet.
The plan involves sending high-altitude balloons into the air to observe a volcanic eruption event. When sulfur dioxide from an eruption mixes with airborne water vapor, the two create aerosols that reflect sunlight.
In 1991, a volcanic eruption in the Philippines sent 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide planet's atmosphere. As a result, global temperatures cooled by one degrees centigrade.