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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Global Change: Abrupt/rapid climate change
  • Global Change: Climate dynamics
  • Global Change: Global climate models
  • Atmospheric Processes: Climatology
  • Volcanology: Atmospheric effects

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 32, L05710, 5 PP., 2005
doi:10.1029/2004GL022119

Climate forcing by the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo

David H. Douglass

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA

Robert S. Knox

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA

We determine the volcano climate sensitivity λ and response time τ for the Mount Pinatubo eruption, using observational measurements of the temperature anomalies of the lower troposphere, measurements of the long wave outgoing radiation, and the aerosol optical density. Using standard linear response theory we find λ = 0.15 ± 0.06 K/(W/m2), which implies a negative feedback of −1.4 (+0.7, −1.6). The intrinsic response time is τ = 6.8 ± 1.5 months. Both results are contrary to a paradigm that involves long response times and positive feedback.

Received 30 November 2004; accepted 17 February 2005; published 11 March 2005.

Citation: Douglass, D. H., and R. S. Knox (2005), Climate forcing by the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L05710, doi:10.1029/2004GL022119.

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