Climate model simulations of the effects of the El Chichon eruption

Abstract

An energy balance climate model is used to calculate the effect of the 4 April 1982 eruption of the El Chichón volcano on surface air ternperature for the next 10 years. The rnaximurn cooling of 1.0 - 1.4 C occurs at the North Pole in the spring and fall of 1984 and 1985. The Northern Hernisphere annual average response is largest in 1984 and 1985 with a cooling of 0.4 -0.5 C. The separate land and ocean responses as functions of latitude and time of year are shown. The particular patterns that result are caused by the snow-albedo and ice-therrnal inertia feedbacks. These results have important irnplications for the detection of CO₂ induced clima te change.