Related Experiment Videos
[Do volcanic eruptions and wide-spread fires affect our climate?]
1Schweizerische Meteorologische Anstalt, Zürich.
Schweizerische Rundschau Fur Medizin Praxis = Revue Suisse De Medecine Praxis
|March 31, 1992
Summary
Large fires and volcanic eruptions create smoke clouds impacting weather. Particle size and wind determine cloud altitude and effects on radiation and temperature.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric science
- Environmental science
Context:
- Major atmospheric events like the Kuwait fires and volcanic eruptions (Mount Unzen, Pinatubo) occurred in early 1991.
- These events generated significant smoke clouds with potential atmospheric and weather implications.
Purpose:
- To analyze the composition and particle size of smoke clouds from large fires and volcanic eruptions.
- To determine the atmospheric fate of these smoke clouds (troposphere vs. stratosphere).
- To investigate the impact of these smoke clouds on weather elements, specifically radiation and temperature.
Summary:
- Investigates the types and sizes of particles in smoke clouds from events like the Kuwait fires and Pinatubo eruption.
- Examines how particle size and wind patterns influence whether clouds stay near the ground or reach the stratosphere.
- Analyzes the effects of these atmospheric phenomena on weather, including radiation and temperature.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the atmospheric transport and behavior of volcanic and fire-generated aerosols.
- Contributes to understanding the influence of large-scale atmospheric disturbances on weather patterns.
- Corroborates findings with observational data, enhancing the credibility of the analysis on weather impacts.