scholarly journals Lidar Observations of Aerosol Disturbances of the Stratosphere over Tomsk (56.5∘N;85.0∘E) in Volcanic Activity Period 2006–2011

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg E. Bazhenov ◽  
Vladimir D. Burlakov ◽  
Sergey I. Dolgii ◽  
Aleksey V. Nevzorov
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Activity ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Optical Characteristics ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
The Vertical Distribution ◽  
Sarychev Peak

The lidar measurements (Tomsk:56.5∘N;85.0∘E) of the optical characteristics of the stratospheric aerosol layer (SAL) in the volcanic activity period 2006–2011 are summarized and analyzed. The background SAL state with minimum aerosol content, observed since 1997 under the conditions of long-term volcanically quiet period, was interrupted in October 2006 by series of explosive eruptions of volcanoes of Pacific Ring of Fire: Rabaul (October 2006, New Guinea); Okmok and Kasatochi (July-August 2008, Aleutian Islands); Redoubt (March-April 2009, Alaska); Sarychev Peak (June 2009, Kuril Islands); Grimsvötn (May 2011, Iceland). A short-term and minor disturbance of the lower stratosphere was also observed in April 2010 after eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull. The developed regional empirical model of the vertical distribution of background SAL optical characteristics was used to identify the periods of elevated stratospheric aerosol content after each of the volcanic eruptions. Trends of variations in the total ozone content are also considered.

scholarly journals 35 yr of stratospheric aerosol measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen: from Fuego to Eyjafjallajökull, and beyond

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5205-5225 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Trickl ◽  
H. Giehl ◽  
H. Jäger ◽  
H. Vogelmann
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Mauna Loa ◽  
Background Period ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Tropopause Region ◽  
Volcanic Impact

Abstract. Lidar measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) have almost continually delivered backscatter coefficients of stratospheric aerosol since 1976. The time series is dominated by signals from the particles injected into or formed in the stratosphere due to major volcanic eruptions, in particular those of El Chichon (Mexico, 1982) and Mt Pinatubo (Philippines, 1991). Here, we focus more on the long-lasting background period since the late 1990s and 2006, in view of processes maintaining a residual lower-stratospheric aerosol layer in absence of major eruptions, as well as the period of moderate volcanic impact afterwards. During the long background period the stratospheric backscatter coefficients reached a level even below that observed in the late 1970s. This suggests that the predicted potential influence of the strongly growing air traffic on the stratospheric aerosol loading is very low. Some correlation may be found with single strong forest-fire events, but the average influence of biomass burning seems to be quite limited. No positive trend in background aerosol can be resolved over a period as long as that observed by lidar at Mauna Loa. We conclude that the increase of our integrated backscatter coefficients starting in 2008 is mostly due to volcanic eruptions with explosivity index 4, penetrating strongly into the stratosphere. Most of them occurred in the mid-latitudes. A key observation for judging the role of eruptions just reaching the tropopause region was that of the plume from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull above Garmisch-Partenkirchen (April 2010) due to the proximity of that source. The top altitude of the ash above the volcano was reported just as 9.3 km, but the lidar measurements revealed enhanced stratospheric aerosol up to 14.3 km. Our analysis suggests for two or three of the four measurement days the presence of a stratospheric contribution from Iceland related to quasi-horizontal transport, differing from the strong descent of the layers entering Central Europe at low altitudes. The backscatter coefficients within the first 2 km above the tropopause exceed the stratospheric background by a factor of four to five. In addition, Asian and Saharan dust layers were identified in the free troposphere, Asian dust most likely even in the stratosphere.

scholarly journals 35 years of stratospheric aerosol measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen: from Fuego to Eyjafjallajökull, and beyond

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 23135-23193 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Trickl ◽  
H. Giehl ◽  
H. Jäger ◽  
H. Vogelmann
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Mauna Loa ◽  
Background Period ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Volcanic Impact

Abstract. The powerful backscatter lidar at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) has almost continually delivered backscatter coefficients of the stratospheric aerosol since 1976. The time series is dominated by signals from the particles injected into or formed in the stratosphere due to major volcanic eruptions, in particular those of El Chichon (Mexico, 1982) and Mt. Pinatubo (Philippines, 1991). The volcanic aerosol disappears within about five years, the removal from the stratosphere being modulated by the phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation. Here, we focus more on the long-lasting background period since the late 1990s and 2006, in view of processes maintaining a residual lower-stratospheric aerosol layer in absence of major eruptions, as well as the period of moderate volcanic impact afterwards. During the long background period the stratospheric backscatter coefficients reached a level even below that observed in the late 1970s. This suggests that the predicted potential influence of the strongly growing air traffic on the stratospheric aerosol loading is very low. Some correlation may be found with single strong forest-fire events, but the average influence of biomass burning seems to be quite limited. No positive trend in background aerosol can be resolved over a period as long as that observed by lidar at Mauna Loa or Boulder. This suggests being careful with invoking Asian air pollution as the main source as found in the literature. Rather an impact of previously missed volcanic eruptions on the stratospheric aerosol must be taken into consideration. A key observation in this regard was that of the plume from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull above Garmisch-Partenkirchen (April 2010) due to the proximity of that source. The top altitude of the ash next to the source was reported just as roughly 9.3 km, but the lidar measurements revealed enhanced stratospheric aerosol up to 14.5 km. Our analysis suggests for two, perhaps three, of the four measurement days the presence of a stratospheric contribution from Iceland related to quasi-horizontal transport, contrasting the strongly descending lower layers entering Central Europe. The backscatter coefficients within the first 2 km above the tropopause exceed the stratospheric background by a factor of three to four. In addition, Asian and Saharan dust layers were identified in the free troposphere, Asian dust most likely even in the stratosphere. The number of minor mid-latitude eruptions has gradually increased during the past ten years. We conclude that, although their stratospheric contribution could not be clearly identified above our site they can sum up for forming some minor background. Clear stratospheric signatures were only seen in the case of eruptions reaching higher altitudes.

scholarly journals 30-year lidar observations of the stratospheric aerosol layer state over Tomsk (Western Siberia, Russia)

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 3067-3081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir V. Zuev ◽  
Vladimir D. Burlakov ◽  
Aleksei V. Nevzorov ◽  
Vladimir L. Pravdin ◽  
Ekaterina S. Savelieva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Western Siberia ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Background Period ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Soufriere Hills ◽  
Global Volcanism ◽  
Langley Research Center

Abstract. There are only four lidar stations in the world which have almost continuously performed observations of the stratospheric aerosol layer (SAL) state over the last 30 years. The longest time series of the SAL lidar measurements have been accumulated at the Mauna Loa Observatory (Hawaii) since 1973, the NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton, Virginia) since 1974, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) since 1976. The fourth lidar station we present started to perform routine observations of the SAL parameters in Tomsk (56.48° N, 85.05° E, Western Siberia, Russia) in 1986. In this paper, we mainly focus on and discuss the stratospheric background period from 2000 to 2005 and the causes of the SAL perturbations over Tomsk in the 2006–2015 period. During the last decade, volcanic aerosol plumes from tropical Mt. Manam, Soufrière Hills, Rabaul, Merapi, Nabro, and Kelut and extratropical (northern) Mt. Okmok, Kasatochi, Redoubt, Sarychev Peak, Eyjafjallajökull, and Grímsvötn were detected in the stratosphere over Tomsk. When it was possible, we used the NOAA HYSPLIT trajectory model to assign aerosol layers observed over Tomsk to the corresponding volcanic eruptions. The trajectory analysis highlighted some surprising results. For example, in the cases of the Okmok, Kasatochi, and Eyjafjallajökull eruptions, the HYSPLIT air mass backward trajectories, started from altitudes of aerosol layers detected over Tomsk with a lidar, passed over these volcanoes on their eruption days at altitudes higher than the maximum plume altitudes given by the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program. An explanation of these facts is suggested. The role of both tropical and northern volcanic eruptions in volcanogenic aerosol loading of the midlatitude stratosphere is also discussed. In addition to volcanoes, we considered other possible causes of the SAL perturbations over Tomsk, i.e., the polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) events and smoke plumes from strong forest fires. At least two PSC events were detected in 1995 and 2007. We also make an assumption that the Kelut volcanic eruption (Indonesia, February 2014) could be the cause of the SAL perturbations over Tomsk during the first quarter of 2015.

scholarly journals Measurement Report: Lidar measurements of stratospheric aerosol following the Raikoke and Ulawun volcanic eruptions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraint Vaughan ◽  
David Wareing ◽  
Hugo Ricketts
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Lidar System ◽  
Elastic Channel ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Volcanic Cloud ◽  
Lidar Ratio

Abstract. On 22 June 2019 the Raikoke volcano in the Kuril islands erupted, sending a plume of ash and sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere. A Raman lidar system at Capel Dewi Atmospheric Observatory, UK (52.4° N, 4.1° W) has been used to measure the extent and optical depth of the stratospheric aerosol layer following the eruption. The elastic channel allowed measurements up to 25 km, but the Raman channel was only sensitive to the troposphere. Therefore, backscatter ratio profiles were derived by comparison with aerosol-free profiles derived from nearby radiosondes, corrected for aerosol extinction with a lidar ratio of 40–50 sr. Small amounts of aerosol were measured prior to the arrival of the volcanic cloud, probably from pyroconvection over Canada. Volcanic ash may have first arrived as a thin layer at 14 km late on 3 July, and was certainly detected from 13 July onwards, eventually extending up to 20.5 km. Aerosol optical depths reached around 0.05 by early August, decaying thereafter to around 0.01 by the end of 2019 and remaining around that level until May 2020. The location of peak backscatter varied considerably but was generally around 15 km. However, on one notable occasion on 25 August, a layer around 300 m thick with peak lidar backscatter ratio around 1.5 was observed as high as 21 km.

Detection of an enhanced stratospheric aerosol layer above Europe one year after the eruption of the volcano Raikoke

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Tomsche ◽  
Andreas Marsing ◽  
Tina Jurkat-Witschas ◽  
Johannes Lucke ◽  
Katharina Kaiser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Sulfate Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Volcanic Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Aerosol Mass

<p>Extreme volcanic eruptions inject significant amounts of sulfur-containing species into the lower stratosphere and sustain the stratospheric aerosol layer which tends to cool the atmosphere and surface temperatures.</p><p>During the BLUESKY campaign in May/June 2020, the aerosol composition and its precursor gas SO2 were measured with a time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer onboard the research aircraft HALO and with a atmospheric chemical ionization mass spectrometer onboard the DLR Falcon. While SO2 was slightly above background levels in the lower stratosphere above Europe, the aerosol mass spectrometer detected an extended aerosol layer. This sulfate aerosol layer was observed on most of the HALO flights and the sulfate mixing ratio increased significantly between 10 and 14 km altitude. Back trajectory calculations show no recent transport of polluted boundary layer air or ground-based emissions into the lower stratosphere. Therefore, we suggest that the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer might be attributed to the aged stratospheric plume of the volcano Raikoke in Japan. In June 2019, Raikoke injected huge amounts of SO2 into the lower stratosphere, which were converted to sulfate and contributed to the stratospheric aerosol layer. This decaying volcanic aerosol layer was observed with the aerosol mass spectrometer over Europe a year after the eruption. The long-term volcanic remnants enhance the total stratospheric aerosol surface area, facilitate heterogeneous reactions on these particles and provide additional cloud condensation nuclei in the UTLS. They further offset some of the reduced sulfur burden from aviation that was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. <br>The sensitive and highly time resolved airborne measurements of composition and size of stratospheric aerosol from an explosive volcanic eruption help to better constrain sulfur chemistry in the lower stratosphere, validate satellite observations near their detection threshold and can be used to evaluate dispersion and chemistry-climate models on long-term effects of volcanic aerosol. </p>

Monitoring the Variability of the Stratospheric Aerosol Layer over Tomsk in 2016–2018 Based on Lidar Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 61-72
Author(s):  
V. N. Marichev ◽  
◽  
D. A. Bochkovskiia ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Temperature Inversion ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Lidar Data ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The results of observations of the features of intraannual variability for the vertical structure of background aerosol in the stratosphere over Western Siberia in 2016–2018 are presented and analyzed. Experimental data were obtained at the lidar complex of Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics (Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences) with a receiving mirror diameter of 1 m. The objective of the study is to investigate the dynamics of background stratospheric aerosol, since during this period there were no volcanic eruptions leading to the transport of eruptive aerosol into the stratosphere. The results of the study confirm a stable intraannual cycle of maximum aerosol filling of the stratosphere in winter, a decrease in spring to the minimum, practical absence in summer, and an increase in autumn. At the same time, the variability of stratification and aerosol filling is observed for different years. It was found that aerosol is concentrated in the layer up to 30 km all year round, except for the winter period. It is shown that the vertical aerosol stratification is largely determined by the thermal regime of the tropo- sphere–stratosphere boundary layer. The absence of a pronounced temperature inversion at the tropopause contributes to an increase in the stratosphere–troposphere exchange and, as a result, to the aerosol transport to the stratosphere. This situation is typical of the cold season. For the first time, data on the quantitative content of stratospheric aerosol (its mass concentration) were obtained from single- frequency lidar data.

scholarly journals The Model Intercomparison Project on the climatic response to Volcanic forcing (VolMIP): Experimental design and forcing input data

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Zanchettin ◽  
Myriam Khodri ◽  
Claudia Timmreck ◽  
Matthew Toohey ◽  
Anja Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Models ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Model Intercomparison ◽  
Climatic Response ◽  
Volcanic Forcing ◽  
Intercomparison Project

Abstract. The enhancement of the stratospheric aerosol layer by volcanic eruptions induces a complex set of responses causing global and regional climate effects on a broad range of timescales. Uncertainties exist regarding the climatic response to strong volcanic forcing identified in coupled climate simulations that contributed to the fifth phase of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). In order to better understand the sources of these model diversities, the model intercomparison project on the climate response to volcanic forcing (VolMIP) has defined a coordinated set of idealized volcanic perturbation experiments to be carried out in alignment with the CMIP6 protocol. VolMIP provides a common stratospheric aerosol dataset for each experiment to eliminate differences in the applied volcanic forcing, and defines a set of initial conditions to determine how internal climate variability contributes to determining the response. VolMIP will assess to what extent volcanically-forced responses of the coupled ocean-atmosphere system are robustly simulated by state-of-the-art coupled climate models and identify the causes that limit robust simulated behavior, especially differences in the treatment of physical processes. This paper illustrates the design of the idealized volcanic perturbation experiments in the VolMIP protocol and describes the common aerosol forcing input datasets to be used.

scholarly journals Volcanic impact on the climate – the stratospheric aerosol load in the period 2006–2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 11149-11169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Friberg ◽  
Bengt G. Martinsson ◽  
Sandra M. Andersson ◽  
Oscar S. Sandvik
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Temperature Threshold ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Volcanic Impact ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Correct Data

Abstract. We present a study on the stratospheric aerosol load during 2006–2015, discuss the influence from volcanism and other sources, and reconstruct an aerosol optical depth (AOD) data set in a resolution of 1∘ latitudinally and 8 days timewise. The purpose is to include the “entire” stratosphere, from the tropopause to the almost particle-free altitudes of the midstratosphere. A dynamic tropopause of 1.5 PVU was used, since it enclosed almost all of the volcanic signals in the CALIOP data set. The data were successfully cleaned from polar stratospheric clouds using a temperature threshold of 195 K. Furthermore, a method was developed to correct data when the CALIOP laser beam was strongly attenuated by volcanic aerosol, preventing a negative bias in the AOD data set. Tropospheric influence, likely from upwelling dust, was found in the extratropical transition layer in spring. Eruptions of both extratropical and tropical volcanoes that injected aerosol into the stratosphere impacted the stratospheric aerosol load for up to a year if their clouds reached lower than 20 km altitude. Deeper-reaching tropical injections rose in the tropical pipe and impacted it for several years. Our AODs mostly compare well to other long-term studies of the stratospheric AOD. Over the years 2006–2015, volcanic eruptions increased the stratospheric AOD on average by ∼40 %. In absolute numbers the stratospheric AOD and radiative forcing amounted to 0.008 and −0.2 W m−2, respectively.

scholarly journals Enhancement of stratospheric aerosols after solar proton event

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1119-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. I. Shumilov ◽  
E. A. Kasatkina ◽  
K. Henriksen ◽  
E. V. Vashenyuk
Keyword(s):  
Considerable Increase ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Nucleation Mechanism ◽  
Solar Proton Event ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Event Type ◽  
Lidar Measurements

Abstract. The lidar measurements at Verhnetulomski observatory (68.6°N, 31.8°E) at Kola peninsula detected a considerable increase of stratospheric aerosol concentration after the solar proton event of GLE (ground level event) type on the 16/02/84. This increase was located at precisely the same altitude range where the energetic solar protons lost their energy in the atmosphere. The aerosol layer formed precipitated quickly (1–2 km per day) during 18, 19, and 20 February 1984, and the increase of R(H) (backscattering ratio) at 17 km altitude reached 40% on 20/02/84. We present the model calculation of CN (condensation nuclei) altitude distribution on the basis of an ion-nucleation mechanism, taking into account the experimental energy distribution of incident solar protons. The meteorological situation during the event was also investigated.

scholarly journals Evidence for the predictability of changes in the stratospheric aerosol size following volcanic eruptions of diverse magnitudes using space-based instruments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry W. Thomason ◽  
Mahesh Kovilakam ◽  
Anja Schmidt ◽  
Christian von Savigny ◽  
Travis Knepp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Extinction Coefficient ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Global Climate Models ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Volcanic Event ◽  
Aerosol Extinction Coefficient

Abstract. An analysis of multiwavelength stratospheric aerosol extinction coefficient data from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II and III/ISS instruments is used to demonstrate a coherent relationship between the perturbation in extinction coefficient in an eruption's main aerosol layer and an apparent change in aerosol size distribution that spans multiple orders of magnitude in the stratospheric impact of a volcanic event. The relationship is measurement-based and does not rely on assumptions about the aerosol size distribution. We note limitations on this analysis including that the presence of significant amounts of ash in the main aerosol layer may significantly modulate these results. Despite this limitation, these findings represent a unique opportunity to verify the performance of interactive aerosol models used in Global Climate Models and Earth System Model and may suggest an avenue for improving aerosol extinction coefficient measurements from single channel observations such the Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imager System as they rely on a priori assumptions about particle size.

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