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How do volcanoes affect global warming?
Asked by Devin


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[Bass]

Volcanoes can blast gas, particularly SO2, and particulate into the upper atmosphere.  SO2 and ash clouds have a cooling effect that can last for several years, depending on the size of the eruption and it's latitude. 
Notable temperature drops were measured following the eruptions of Laki (1783), Tambora (1815), Krakatau (1883).  The 1991 Pinatuba eruption cooled global temperatures by over 1C for 2 to 3 years.

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We discussed this question on our  show



Chris Smith put this to Professor Marian Holness, geologist from the University of Cambridge...



[Transcript to follow]



Click to visit the show page for the podcast in which this question is answered. Alternatively, [chapter podcast=1001386 track=16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005380.mp3] listen to the answer now[/chapter] or [download as MP3]