Although volcanic eruptions are best known for their devastating impacts on earth, they also influence the atmosphere in a surprising way. The particles that are catapulted into the sky by eruptions can modify the composition of the clouds, cooling the surface below. Volcanic ashes, as suggested by new research, plays an unexpected role in the formation of clouds by manipulating ice crystals.
A new study published in Scientific advances have found that volcanic ashes allow the ice to take shape in the clouds, a process that has never been widely studied before. Environmental effects – how volcanic ashes contribute to radiation on earth – are always to be discussed, but a better understanding of the formation of clouds could shed light on the efforts of geo -engineering which aspire to slow down global warming.
How clouds and volcanoes have an impact on radiation
The clouds have a complex relationship with the influence. This is seen with their influence on earth radiation budgetThe balance between short -wave rays in the sun and the radiation of long waves coming out of the earth. Depending on the thickness and elevation of a cloud, it can have an absorbent or reflective effect.
The lower and thicker clouds reflect more radiation from the sun and cool the surface of the earth. Thin, finer and thin, less clouds reflect the incoming solar radiation less and even tend to absorb infrared radiation coming out constantly emitted by the earth itself. Cirrus clouds – Vaporous and icy clouds that are high in the atmosphere – generally have a clear warming effect on earth.
Volcanoes also affect the earth's radiation budget through the particles they eject. Scientists mainly focused on Sulfate aerosolswhich are formed after sulfur dioxide are released in the atmosphere by an eruption. Although sulfate aerosols can exhaust the ozone layer and produce acid rains, they also help cool the earth by reflecting solar radiation.
Learn more:: Volcanic eruption warnings are now possible with fiber optic cables
The impact of volcanic ash
Volcanic ashes have not drawn as much attention as sulfate aerosols, but the new study proves that it must also be taken into account in climatic discussions.
In the study, researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have collected information on ice crystals in the clouds by examining the Radar and Lidar data of the NASA Cloudsat and Calipso missions.
The team found that the volcanic eruptions rich in ashes had caused clouds to accommodate less, but larger ice crystals.
“At the beginning of the study, we expected the clouds affected by volcanic eruptions are different from natural clouds, but not the way we finally found,” said Lin Lin, LLNL scientist, in a statement. “We have planned that volcanic aerosols would increase the number of ice crystals in the clouds. But to our surprise, the data showed the opposite. ”
Treat with Cirrus clouds
The team initially thought that an eruption would cause a homogeneous nucleation, in which the ice is spontaneously formed without the need for a surface. Rather, they found that the heavy eruptions of ash cause an opposite reaction called heterogeneous nucleation, in which ice needs “impurity” like volcanic ash to form. After an eruption, the water droplets stick to the particles of ash before being able to freeze enough to freeze.
By producing less and larger ice crystals, clouds that undergo heterogeneous Nucleation ends up reflecting less solar radiation, but they also allow more radiation from the earth to escape in space. The team also determined that the eruptions rich in ashes had led to a higher frequency of cirrus clouds.
Researchers say that volcanic ashes must be implemented in more climatic models to understand exactly how all these factors influence the surface temperature of the earth. Other studies on volcanic ash could also guide the plans for Cirrus Cloud BurningAn idea proposed to alleviate global warming. This process would imply spraying aerosols in the atmosphere to lighten or eliminate the cirrus clouds, allowing more long wave radiation to leave the earth.
Find out more: The problem on the planet level which is solar geo-engineering
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Jack Knudson is a deputy editor -in -chief to discover with a strong interest in environmental sciences and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Ohio University Scripps College of Communication and previously interned at Recycling TODAY magazine.
