Publikationsdatum:
2012-02-23
Beschreibung:
Large tropical volcanic eruptions have been observed to have a significant influence on the large-scale circulation
patterns of the Northern Hemisphere, through mechanisms related to the radiative effects of the sulfate aerosols
resulting from the volcanic injection of SO2 into the stratosphere. While no such volcanically induced anomalies
in Southern Hemisphere circulation have yet been observed, we find that general circulation model simulations of
eruptions with SO2 injections larger than that of the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption do result in significant circulation
changes in the SH, specifically an enhanced positive phase of the southern annular mode (SAM). We explore the
mechanisms for such a SAM response, as well as the corresponding changes in SH temperature, sea ice and precipitation.
We also explore how the anomalously strong zonal winds characteristic of the positive SAM regime affect
the rate of sulfate deposition to the Antarctic ice-sheet, and related implications for ice-core based reconstructions
of past volcanic activity. This study has relevance for better understanding SAM forcing mechanisms, interpreting
observed SAM time series, and predicting future SAM changes after major volcanic eruptions.
Materialart:
Conference or Workshop Item
,
NonPeerReviewed
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