How did the eruption of Krakatau effect the earth's temperature/climate
and why?
Matt
Dear Matt,
The volume of the 1883 eruption of Krakatau was about 20 cubic
kilometers. Ash reached an altitude of 25 miles (40 km). Haze (fine
particles) from the eruption had drifted all the way to the Atlantic in
three days. In 8 days it was south of Hawaii. In thirteen days in had
circled the globe. It continued to circle the globe, becoming more
diffuse over time. It caused intense, beautiful red sunsets. It is
generally agreed that the eruption caused global temperatures to cool
about 0.25 degrees Celsius for one or two years after the eruption. The
cooling is caused by the reflection of solar radiation back into space
by the volcanic particles and aerosols.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
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