The influence of volcanic stratospheric aerosols on interannual global climate variations

A qualitative physical mechanism has been proposed to explain the forcing of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) by low-latitude volcanic stratospheric aerosols (Handler 1989). This mechanism is based on the normal global annual cycle resulting from the normal annual cycle in the distribution of incoming solar radiation. The presence of a volcanic stratospheric aerosol, which backscatters incoming solar radiation, is hypothesized to trigger the ENSO through an amplification of the normal annual decrease in wind strength and corresponding increase in sea surface temperatures (SST) in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The observational evidence for an association between the record of volcanic eruptions and SST and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI, Tahiti SLP minus Darwin SLP) over the last 120 years is examined using superposed epoch analysis. Composites using as key dates low-latitude volcanic eruptions suggest that these eruptions are followed by statistically significantly warm sea surface temperatures at least at the 1% level, if not higher, with the greatest warming generally occurring in the first three seasons after the eruption. Satellite data on the distribution of recent volcanic aerosols suggests that an aerosol must only be present over the tropics (about 20$\sp\circ$S to 20$\sp\circ$N) to trigger an ENSO event. For the physical mechanism by which an ENSO event may be triggered by a volcanic stratospheric aerosol, these results and the results of recent computer modeling studies imply the need for a shift away from past emphasis on surface cooling and SLP anomalies and toward consideration of stratospheric warming and changes in energy storage and transport.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Andsager, Karen Marie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Handler, Paul

• Physics, General
• Physics, Atmospheric Science

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1992 Andsager, Karen Marie

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9305451
(UMI)AAI9305451

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20338