Volcanic dust influence on glacier mass balance at high latitudes

Abstract

EXPLOSIVE eruptions, which inject large quantities of volcanic dust into the earth's upper atmosphere, are believed to be important factors in climatic change. Theoretical considerations suggest that the greatest climatic effect of a stratospheric dust veil would be at high latitudes during summer months, when solar radiation passes through the greatest depth of atmosphere and the surface is illuminated continously1. Furthermore, the residence time of volcanic dust is greatest at high latitudes, where it may remain in the upper atmosphere for a decade or more, depending on particle size and initial injection height2. Here we present evidence that the eruption of Mount Agung (8 °S, 115 °E) in March 1963, was responsible for a marked change in the climate of the North American High Arctic and that this change has had a significant impact on glacier mass balance in the region.