Abstract
Abstract. We have performed more than 300 atmospheric simulations of the 1991 Pinatubo eruption using the AER 2-D sulfate aerosol model to optimize the initial sulfur mass injection as a function of altitude, which in previous modeling studies has often been chosen in an ad hoc manner (e.g., by applying a rectangular-shaped emission profile). Our simulations are generated by varying a four-parameter vertical mass distribution, which is determined by a total injection mass and a skew-normal distribution function. Our results suggest that (a) the initial mass loading of the Pinatubo eruption is approximately 14 Mt of SO2; (b) the injection vertical distribution is strongly skewed towards the lower stratosphere, leading to a peak mass sulfur injection at 18–21 km; (c) the injection magnitude and height affect early southward transport of the volcanic clouds as observed by SAGE II.
Highlights
IntroductionThe eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on 15 June 1991 injected large amounts of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere
We present results from more than 300 atmospheric simulations of the Pinatubo eruption based on different combinations of four emission parameters, namely the total SO2 mass and a three-parameter skew-normal distribution of SO2 as a function of altitude
We compare our results with SO2 vertical profiles measured by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) onboard the UpAtmos
Summary
The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on 15 June 1991 injected large amounts of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. Pinatubo on 15 June 1991 injected large amounts of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere It perturbed the radiative, dynamical and chemical processes in the. The Pinatubo eruption serves as a useful analogue for geoengineering via injection of sulfur-containing gases into the stratosphere (Crutzen, 2006; Robock et al., 2013). The uncertainties in determining the initial total mass and altitude distribution of SO2 released by Pinatubo remain high. Stowe et al (1992) deduced a mass of 13.6 megatons of SO2 based on the aerosol optical thickness observed by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) The uncertainties in determining the initial total mass and altitude distribution of SO2 released by Pinatubo remain high. Stowe et al (1992) deduced a mass of 13.6 megatons of SO2 based on the aerosol optical thickness observed by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)
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