One meter ice core with a layer of ash from a volcanic eruption. (Photo: Submitted)
Researchers used sophisticated computer modeling technology to reconstruct a series of volcanic eruptions over the past 11,500 years. The work involved estimating—for the first time—the exact ages and amounts of sulfur injection into the atmosphere for over 850 historical volcanic eruptions by measuring the sulfur content of ice cores.
“A total of 26 eruptions over the past 11,500 years have released more sulfur into the stratosphere than the colossal eruption of Tambora in 1815, suggesting that eruptions of this size occur more than twice as often globally than previously thought so far,” said Siegel, who led the research project.
Siegel also said the study found a link between melting glaciers and increased volcanic activity, a finding that helps scientists predict the potential climate impacts of continued global warming. The results were recently published in the journal Earth System Science Data.
Toohey was responsible for making estimates of the amount of sulfate present in the ice and assessing how stratospheric aerosols from past eruptions affected the transmission of radiation through the atmosphere. The tools developed by Toohey and his group will allow the ice core information to be used in Holocene climate model simulations, as well as provide rapid assessments of the impact of potential future eruptions.
“This work greatly improves our ability to estimate the likelihood of large, climate-related eruptions in the future and their radiative impact, providing a valuable resource for climate risk assessment,” Toohey said.
Link to the paper:
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