Environmental Science
How Volcanic Eruptions Influence Global Climate Temporarily
Quick fact
The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines released about 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, causing global temperatures to drop by about 0.5°C (0.9°F) for two years.
Why this is interesting
A single volcanic eruption can cool the entire planet for years—yet it's not the ash, but invisible gases, that do the work. How can a local explosion have global climatic effects?