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Potential atmospheric impact of the Toba Mega‐Eruption ∼71,000 years ago
Author(s) -
Zielinski G. A.,
Mayewski P. A.,
Meeker L. D.,
Whitlow S.,
Twickler M. S.,
Taylor K.
Publication year - 1996
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 - 10.1029/96gl00706
Subject(s) - ice core , volcano , period (music) , climatology , vulcanian eruption , atmospheric sciences , geology , environmental science , range (aeronautics) , global cooling , physical geography , climate change , oceanography , geography , physics , materials science , seismology , acoustics , composite material
An ∼6‐year long period of volcanic sulfate recorded in the GISP2 ice core about 71,100 ± 5000 years ago may provide detailed information on the atmospheric and climatic impact of the Toba mega‐eruption. Deposition of these aerosols occur at the beginning of an ∼1000‐year long stadial event, but not immediately before the longer glacial period beginning ∼67,500 years ago. Total stratospheric loading estimates over this ∼6‐year period range from 2200 to 4400 Mt of H 2 SO 4 aerosols. The range in values is given to compensate for uncertainties in aerosol transport. Magnitude and longevity of the atmospheric loading may have led directly to enhanced cooling during the initial two centuries of this ∼1000‐year cooling event.