Climate change – Vulcanic Activity

Eruption can hurl ash, chemicals (mainly sulphur dioxide and sulphur-rich gases) and other particles into the stratosphere. Aerosols are created in the process of water combining with sulphur dioxide. These aerosols are spread across the globe by wind and reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the troposphere, leading to the tropospheric cooling. This effect varies according to the strength of the eruption, causing short-term (days to months) to long term climate changes (a few years to centuries). The impacts can be positive, such as cooling down the earth, but as well negative impacts can be created, like extensive droughts and widespread crop failure (due to lack of sunlight).