SOLAR HEATING RATES AFTER A VOLCANIC-ERUPTION - THE IMPORTANCE OF SO2 ABSORPTION

Studies of the impact of volcanic eruptions on the climate have mainly focused on the radiative effects of enhanced aerosol loadings. However, initially, volcanoes release not aerosols, but large amounts of sulphur dioxide (SO2), which subsequently leads to the production of sulphate aerosols. SO2 absorbs strongly in the ultraviolet and the visible region of the spectrum. This paper shows that accounting for this absorption is important if an accurate determination of change in heating rates is to be made in the period shortly after a volcanic eruption.