Stratospheric climate anomalies and ozone loss caused by the Hunga volcanic eruption

Friday, November 3, 2023 12pm to 1pm

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About this Event

Pierce Hall, 100F

29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

The Hunga volcanic eruption in January 2022 injected extreme amounts of water vapor (H2O) and a moderate amount of the aerosol precursor sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the Southern Hemisphere (SH) stratosphere. The H2O and aerosol perturbations have persisted and dispersed throughout the atmosphere, and observations show large-scale SH stratospheric cooling, strengthening of the Antarctic polar vortex and slowing of the Brewer-Dobson circulation during 2022. Satellite measurements show substantial reductions in ozone over the SH winter midlatitudes. Ensemble chemistry-climate model simulations forced by realistic Hunga inputs of H2O and SO2 qualitatively reproduce the observed evolution of the H2O and aerosol plumes, and the model exhibits stratospheric cooling, circulation changes and ozone reductions similar to observed behavior. These studies enable understanding of circulation and chemistry impacts of the unique Hunga eruption amid internal climate variability.

Event Details

Event Type

Colloquia / Seminar / Lecture

Series

Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry Seminars

Academics

Environmental Science & Engineering

Audience

SEAS Community

Web Page Listing

Academic Areas Environmental Science & Engineering

Speaker 1

William Randel (NCAR)

Speaker Bio

William (Bill) Randel is a Senior Scientist in the Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling (ACOM) Laboratory at NCAR, and head of the Satellite and Remote Sensing Section in ACOM. Bill received his PhD in Physics from Iowa State University. He came to NCAR as an Advanced Study Program Postdoctoral Fellow, followed by a staff Scientist position, and was Director of Atmospheric Chemistry Division during 2007-2015. Bill’s research focuses on analysis of observational data related to the large-scale circulation of the atmosphere, constituent transport and long-term changes within the atmosphere, utilizing global satellite measurements and model simulations. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles, and has given more than 50 professional invited and keynote talks. He has been a contributing and lead author for the UNEP/WMO Scientific Assessments of Ozone Depletion and IPCC Climate Assessment Reports, and has served on numerous committees and panels related to atmospheric composition and climate.

Host

ESE Colloquium Series

Contact

Ester Ramirez

Email

eramirez@seas.harvard.edu

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