On Volcanic and Other Particulate Turbidity Anomalies.
Expert InsightsPublished 1972
The role of the volcanic material injected by the three major eruptions of Krakatoa (1883), Katmai (1912), and Agung (1963) in increasing atmospheric particulate turbidity is critically evaluated. Typical turbidity anomalies, in terms of absolute increments in optical thickness in the middle of the visual spectrum, are found to be 0.55 for Krakatoa, 0.35 for Katmai, and 0.25 for Agung. The last represents a fivefold increase of normal turbidity away from cities over a period of two to three years. The contribution by the operation of a nominal 500 stratospheric commercial aircraft (SSTs) to particulate turbidity is estimated to be small. Other possible meteorological and climatic effects, claimed to be related to these volcanic dust incursions, are critically examined. Little conclusive evidence for such effects is found. 52 pp.
Document Details
- Copyright: RAND Corporation
- Availability: Web Only
- Year: 1972
- Pages: 52
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/pubs
- Document Number: P-4782
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