This literature review analyses and discusses different theories and results regarding impact of volcanic eruptions on climate change in Earth's history. Present global warming has been attributed to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, however changes in global temperatures have occurred before the onset of anthropogenic emissions. Certain prehistoric climate changes are thought to be caused by emissions of volcanic gases to the atmosphere. Many studies have investigated the connection between volcanic events and subsequent changes in global temperatures. A majority have concluded that volcanic sulfur dioxide is the main direct and indirect climate forcing gas influencing temperatures over time. Increased volcanic activity over the last 15 years is thought to be an inhibiting factor on present global warming. This is supported by evidence of past volcanic events preceding global cooling and warming periods during Holocene and prehistoric times. Further, there are indications that factors such as geographical position, season, gas composition, magnitude and duration of an eruption influences the extent of the climate forcing.Records of climate such as ice cores and tree growth rings and isotopic characterization have made it possible to identify volcano eruptions over time and determine the identity of the erupting volcano. Past and present data from these can be used to gain a better understanding of past climate changes as well as making predictions about future changes as a result volcanic eruptions. However, accuracy regarding temporal and spatial resolution of these records is of great importance for the validity of the results.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:umu-114312 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Johansson, Eva |
| Publisher | Umeå universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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