Effect of the El Chichon volcanic cloud on the surface radiative regime in central Alaska

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Clim. Appl. Meteorol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1986)025<1687:EOTECV>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6174530

Wendler, G; Kodama, Y

Five years of detailed radiation measurements were taken at Fairbands, Alaska. These data showed that the El Chichon volcanic cloud had a major impact on the surface radiative regime, the maximum of which was observed in winter 1982/83, about 9 months after the eruption. The direct beam of the solar radiation was reduced by as much as 38% (3-month mean value), the ratio of diffuse over global radiation was increased by 91%, and the global radiation was reduced by about 5%. These values show that the volcanic cloud was a strong forward scatterer, while relatively little energy was absorbed or reflected back to space. Further, the aerosol optical depth and Linke's turbidity factor were calculated, and both displayed substantial increases. Effects of the stratospheric dust cloud were seen all through 1983 and the spring of 1984. In summer 1984, however, the radiative values were back to normal. The authors were compared to other observations at lower latitudes and, in general, a good agreement was found.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks
• OSTI ID: 6174530
• Journal Information: J. Clim. Appl. Meteorol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Clim. Appl. Meteorol.; (United States) Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 25; ISSN JCAME
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500100 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580202* -- Geophysics-- Volcanology-- (1980-1989)
ALASKA
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ERUPTION
FEDERAL REGION X
GLOBAL ASPECTS
INFORMATION
NORTH AMERICA
RADIATIONS
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
USA
VOLCANOES