1991: Warmth, chill may follow

Journal Article · Fri Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 1992 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.255.5042.281· OSTI ID:7015210

Kerr, R A

Following 1990's record temperatures, last year ended as the second warmest ever recorded. But it might have set yet another record had it not been for the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. The layer of sun-blocking haze spewed by the Philippine volcano is sending a chill through the climate system that may already have shown up in the temperature record. This volcanic cooling, which could last a couple of years, should also temporarily chill the debate about whether the green house effect is behind the warming of recent years. It's been hard enough to draw firm conclusions about any greenhouse warming from world temperature data, and Pinatubo's masking effect should make it harder still during the next few years. But the cooling episode may advance the science of climate prediction indirectly. It will give scientists an opportunity to check out their computer greenhouse models by seeing how well they do at predicting the volcano-induced climate change.

• OSTI ID: 7015210
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Vol. 255:5042; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
FORECASTING
VOLCANOES
ERUPTION
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
PHILIPPINES
ASIA
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ISLANDS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
290301 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety- Regional & Global Environmental Aspects- (1992-)