火山噴火と気候

抄録

Large volcanic eruptions inject massive amounts of particulate material into the stratosphere ; in fact, much or most of the “Junge layer” of stratospheric aerosols in the 20 to 25km region is produced by volcanic eruptions. Several authors have attempted to quantify the climatic effects following volcanic eruptions, mainly the changes in mean temperature, and have shown that volcanic injections do lead to cooling on a hemispheric or global average scale. In this article we review this problem. Physical basis of the problem is also adressed placing primary emphasis on the radiation aspects of the effects of increased aerosol loading in the atmosphere.