The gases, ash and dust particles thrown into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions have an influence on climate in the short term.
Erupting volcanoes often emit sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. The sulphur dioxide combines with water to form sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid makes tiny droplets that reflect incoming radiation from the sun, causing cooling of the earth’s surface.
Sunlight reflected back into space
Ash and Sulphuric Acid WINDS IN UPPER ATMOSPHERE
Less sunlight reaches the surface, creating a cooling effect
1. Explain how sunspots can have an effect on global climates. 2. Describe how the earth’s orbit around the sun impacts global climate. 3. Explain how volcanic activity can have an impact on short-term climate change.
16.4 Climate Change
Industrial Revolution: A period of dramatic change in which manufacturing by hand was increasingly replaced by manufacturing by machines.
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by Human Activity Scientists now believe that human activities have had an impact on global warming. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution in 1780, human activity and industry has released large amounts of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) into the atmosphere. To understand why this is harmful, we must look at the ‘Greenhouse effect’.
Key Words
Greenhouse gases
Greenhouse effect
Carbon dioxide Methane
Nitrous oxide
The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 released 17 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide. This had an impact on global sunlight, reducing it by 10% and cooling the planet by 0.5°Celsius for a period of 1–3 years.
