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Title: Observed multivariable signals of late 20th and early 21st century volcanic activity

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL062366· OSTI ID:1460152
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  1. Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore California USA
  2. Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Massachusetts USA
  3. Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis Environment Canada Victoria British Columbia Canada
  4. Remote Sensing Systems Santa Rosa California USA
  5. NASA Langley Research Center Hampton Virginia USA
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Abstract The relatively muted warming of the surface and lower troposphere since 1998 has attracted considerable attention. One contributory factor to this “warming hiatus” is an increase in volcanically induced cooling over the early 21st century. Here we identify the signals of late 20th and early 21st century volcanic activity in multiple observed climate variables. Volcanic signals are statistically discernible in spatial averages of tropical and near‐global SST, tropospheric temperature, net clear‐sky short‐wave radiation, and atmospheric water vapor. Signals of late 20th and early 21st century volcanic eruptions are also detectable in near‐global averages of rainfall. In tropical average rainfall, however, only a Pinatubo‐caused drying signal is identifiable. Successful volcanic signal detection is critically dependent on removal of variability induced by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
DE‐AC52‐07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1460152
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1402211
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 42 Journal Issue: 2; ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 44 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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