Next Question

Mahalo is adding a tip to all questions that don't offer a tip.
M¢25 Funded By Mahalo ? |
May 03, 2009 04:31 PM
RSS
As I answered in a later question, it is possible that global temperatures will drop as a result of a volcanic eruption, as evidenced by the eruptions of Tambora in 1815 and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, but it is not a guarantee. Other large eruptions, such as El Chichn in 1982 seemed to have little effect on global temperatures.
Given Mt. Redoubt's history of eruptions (which have the secondary effect of reducing pressure in the volcano), I believe a full eruption of Mt. Redoubt would be less likely to send ash and sulfur dioxide high enough into the atmosphere as to create significant global cooling as there is less pressure built up than in, say, a Krakatau.
Additionally, if a full eruption involves blowing out one of the sides of the volcano (as Mt. St. Helens did), ash and sulfur dioxide would also be expelled laterally, so less of it would reach the upper atmosphere.
Despite all these counterfactuals, however, it's still certainly possible that a full eruption of Mt. Redoubt could cause a temporary drop in global temperature; it's just less likely to do so than other volcanoes.
Source(s):
http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/fact_sheets/earthsci/volcano....
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/fs113-97.pdf
Permalink | Report
Answered Question

Mahalo is adding a tip to all questions that don't offer a tip.
If Mount Redoubt fully erupts, will temperatures around the world, drop?
Will world temperatures drop, if Mount Redoubt erupts?
Interesting Question?
Yes (0)
No (0)
- In Science & Mathematics |
- |
- Report |
-
Share
RSS
Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| May 05, 2009 03:45 AM |
Given Mt. Redoubt's history of eruptions (which have the secondary effect of reducing pressure in the volcano), I believe a full eruption of Mt. Redoubt would be less likely to send ash and sulfur dioxide high enough into the atmosphere as to create significant global cooling as there is less pressure built up than in, say, a Krakatau.
Additionally, if a full eruption involves blowing out one of the sides of the volcano (as Mt. St. Helens did), ash and sulfur dioxide would also be expelled laterally, so less of it would reach the upper atmosphere.
Despite all these counterfactuals, however, it's still certainly possible that a full eruption of Mt. Redoubt could cause a temporary drop in global temperature; it's just less likely to do so than other volcanoes.
Source(s):
http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/service/gallery/fact_sheets/earthsci/volcano....
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/fs113-97.pdf
| Asker's Rating: |
Permalink | Report
Answer this Question
Related Questions
Ask a Question
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal
Top Members
Most Popular Tags
Categories
- Anonymous
- Arts & Design
- Beauty & Style
- Books & Authors
- Business
- Cars & Transportation
- Consumer Electronics
- Coupons Deals
- Education
- Entertainment
- Environment
- Fitness
- Food & Drink
- From Email
- From Iphone
- From Twitter
- Health
- History
- Hobbies
- Home & Garden
- How Tos
- Humor
- Jobs
- Legal
- Local
- Love & Relationships
- Mahalo Answers Community
- Money
- Music
- News
- NSFW
- Parenting
- Pets
- Science & Mathematics
- Services
- Shopping
- Social Science
- Society & Culture
- Sports
- Technology & Internet
- Travel
- Video Games
Welcome New Members
- mahaliawalters, November 24, 2009 12:28 PM
- jkane, November 24, 2009 12:27 PM
- angelolorenzo, November 24, 2009 12:15 PM
- stephensrg, November 24, 2009 12:07 PM
- chelrawl, November 24, 2009 12:05 PM
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.
Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.
Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More