Impacts of an Active Volcano on Weather and Climate: What to Expect
As Mount Ruang continues its eruption, the effects on weather patterns and climate are becoming clearer. Despite the ongoing danger, the potential consequences of this volcanic activity are becoming more apparent.
Last week, Mount Ruang in Indonesia experienced several explosive eruptions. The volcanic gases were propelled so high that they reached the atmosphere's second layer, tens of thousands of feet above the ground.
During the eruptions this week, Mount Ruang released an ash plume that soared tens of thousands of feet into the air. Satellite estimates show that some volcanic gases were ejected over 65,000 feet high, surpassing the typical flying altitude of a commercial airplane by about 25,000 feet.
The potential impacts of the eruption on weather and climate are becoming clearer, despite the ongoing danger of the volcano and ongoing evacuations.
Volcanoes can affect the climate in the short term by releasing gases into the upper atmosphere, which can lead to global temperature cooling. However, according to Greg Huey, the chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Mount Ruang's impact on the climate is expected to be minimal.
The volcano Mount Ruang, located on Ruang Island in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, is a 2,400-foot (725-meter) stratovolcano. This type of volcano has erupted at least seven times since Tuesday night, according to the country's volcanology agency. Stratovolcanoes, like Mount Ruang, can produce explosive eruptions due to their cone shape allowing gas to build up, as explained by volcanologists.
The day-to-day weather conditions near Mount Ruang, including temperature, clouds, and rain, are unlikely to be affected by the volcano for an extended period, as mentioned by Huey in an interview with CNN.
NASA/CNN
Related article
Before and after: See Dubai flooding from space
Volcanic ash is a combination of crushed-up solids like rocks, minerals, and glass, along with gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, as stated by NASA.
According to CNN, scientist Huey explained that the ash doesn't stay in the atmosphere for long because it is heavy and quickly settles. On the other hand, gases can reach higher altitudes.
Dense ash near the surface can lead to poor air quality and temporarily cool down the area by blocking sunlight. After the eruption ends, the ash will begin to settle.
Mount Ruang spewed lava and and ash on April 17, seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi. It also triggered lightning in the ash cloud -- a common phenomenon in powerful volcano eruptions.
Mount Ruang erupted on April 17, emitting lava and ash that could be seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi. This eruption also caused lightning to form within the ash cloud, a common occurrence during powerful volcanic eruptions. The event was captured in a striking image by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation/AFP/Getty Images.
During Mount Ruang's eruptions, some gases reached the stratosphere, the second layer of Earth's atmosphere. This layer is located above the troposphere, where all life and weather activities take place.
The stratosphere is known to be a very dry environment where only gases with a long lifespan, lasting for decades, usually make their way up. According to Huey, volcanic eruptions are the main natural process that allows short-lived gases like sulfur dioxide and water vapor, which typically last less than a few years, to enter the stratosphere.
Once sulfur dioxide and water vapor reach the stratosphere, they mix together to create sulfuric acid aerosols. These aerosols form a hazy layer of droplets that can spread far and last up to three years. This layer reflects sunlight back into space, which in turn cools global temperatures.
Rendering of the Equatic 3,650tpa CDR plant under construction in Singapore.
Rendering of the Equatic 3,650tpa CDR plant under construction in Singapore.
Equatic
Related article
Can this ocean-based carbon plant help save the world? Some scientists are raising red flags
More gas reaching the stratosphere means the cooling effect will last longer.
In 1991, Mount Pinatubo, a stratovolcano in the Philippines, erupted and released the largest sulfur dioxide cloud ever recorded. The eruption discharged over 17 million tons of the gas into the atmosphere, resulting in a global temperature drop of approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) that lasted for about a year, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Satellite instruments have estimated that Mount Ruang has released around 300,000 tons of sulfur dioxide so far. However, it is uncertain how much of this plume has reached the stratosphere. While this amount is significant, it falls short of the most extreme case, according to Huey.
An eruption as large as Mount Pinatubo in 1991 could potentially cool the planet for a few years. However, it would not be able to solve the current climate issues caused by planet-warming pollution. Additionally, such an eruption would result in significant damage to life and property.
CNN’s Kathleen Magramo contributed to this report.
Police officers sweep volcanic material accumulated on the ground, after eruptions of the Mount Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on April 19, 2024.
Police officers sweep volcanic material accumulated on the ground, after eruptions of the Mount Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on April 19, 2024.
Ronny Adolof Buol/AFP/Getty Images
Editor's P/S:
The recent explosive eruptions of Mount Ruang in Indonesia have highlighted the potential impacts of volcanic activity on our planet. While the immediate danger of the volcano and ongoing evacuations are of primary concern, the long-term effects on weather and climate are also important to consider.
Volcanic eruptions can inject gases and ash into the atmosphere, which can have a cooling effect on global temperatures. The gases released by Mount Ruang, such as sulfur dioxide and water vapor, can form sulfuric acid aerosols in the stratosphere, which reflect sunlight back into space. This effect can last for several years, potentially leading to a slight cooling of the planet. However, it's important to note that this cooling effect is temporary and cannot solve the long-term climate issues caused by human activities.
