Author: Rampino, Michael R.; Self, Stephen
Description: A general feedback between volcanism and climate at times of transition in the Quaternary climate record is suggested, exemplified by events accompanying the Toba eruption (~74,000 yr ago), the largest known late Quaternary explosive volcanic eruption. The Toba paroxysm occurred during the 8 18 O stage 5a-4 transition, a period of rapid ice growth and falling global sea level, which may have been a factor in creating stresses that triggered the volcanic event. Toba is estimated to have produced between 10 15 and 10 16 g of fine ash and sulfur gases lofted in co-ignimbrite ash clouds to heights of at least 32 ± 5 km, which may have led to dense stratospheric dust and sulfuric acid aerosol clouds. These conditions could have created a brief, dramatic cooling or “volcanic winter,” followed by estimated annual Northern Hemisphere surface-temperature decreases of ~3° to 5°C caused by the longer-lived aerosols. Summer temperature decreases of >10°C at high northern latitudes, adjacent to regions already covered by snow and ice, might have increased snow cover and sea-ice extent, accelerating the global cooling already in progress. Evidence for such climate-volcanic feedback, following Milankovitch periodicities, is found at several climatic transitions.
Subject headings: Volcanoes; Climate change; Volcanic eruption; Quaternary; Toba; Climatic transitions; Volcanic winter
Publication year: 1993
Journal or book title: Quaternary Research
Volume: 40
Issue: 3
Pages: 269-280
Find the full text: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033589483710811
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Serial number: 3877