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Banded structures in stratospheric aerosol distributions
Author(s) -
Trepte Charles R.,
Thomason Larry W.,
Kent Geoffrey S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/94gl01462
Subject(s) - tropopause , aerosol , volcano , atmospheric sciences , stratosphere , latitude , tropics , middle latitudes , geology , environmental science , climatology , meteorology , physics , geodesy , fishery , seismology , biology
Zonal bands of stratospheric aerosol optical depth are observed by various sensors under both volcanic and non‐volcanic conditions. Maximum optical depths occur within the tropics and at high latitudes, while minima are found between latitudes of approximately 15° and 45°. This structure is shown to result from a reservoir of aerosol over the tropics, poleward transport, and the departure of the tropopause from isentropic surfaces.