Do eruptive volcanoes have an impact on climate?

On Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, volcanic eruptions have recently become somewhat common. October 2023 saw an obvious rise in seismic activity and lava flow when the Sundhnúkur volcanic system began to erupt regularly.

Moreover, the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, United States, has lately shown active volcanism. Future volcanic eruptions, even if there are no present ones, are possible considering the ongoing existence of seismic and ground deformation activity.

Three main groups define volcanoes: dormant, extinct, and active.

If a volcano is active—if it has erupted at some time in the past or is now erupting—then the equivalent in Italy of Mount Etna and Kilauea in Hawaii.

A volcano is considered extinct if it hasn't erupted recently and isn't likely to do so soon. Consider Mount Kilimanjaro, which is found in Africa.

Volcanoes that have been inactive for a notable length of time yet might erupt at some point are classed as dormant. Like Mount Fuji, these kinds of volcanoes have a recorded history of prior eruptions.

Scientists closely check the most recent conditions of active and dormant volcanoes to quickly issue warnings. In the case of a volcanic eruption, the nearby residents must be fast evacuated.

Lava flows, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic gases are among the natural events perhaps substantially influenced by volcanic eruptions. Even local human activity may show the consequences.

Lava flows. By destroying infrastructure, vegetation, and buildings along their route, these natural catastrophes can inflict major property loss and grave environmental repercussions.

Volcanic ash. Major volcanic eruptions might cover a large region in ash, which would cause damage to infrastructure, respiratory problems, lower agricultural output, and disturbance of traffic.

Volcanic gases. The release of sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and other contaminants during volcanic eruptions may harm ecosystems and human health. These pollutants contribute to air pollution and help produce acid rain.

Tsunamis. Tsunams brought on by landslides or subaqueous volcanic eruptions may destroy coastal cities.

Earthquakes. A common friend of volcanic eruptions is the destructive force of earthquakes, which may demolish buildings, put infrastructure in danger, and even cause mudslides and landslides.

Biodiversity. Volcanic eruptions may have devastating consequences for the local wildlife. Should a volcanic explosion strike, ecological habitats might be damaged, possibly leading to certain species' extinction or migration. New ecosystems might thrive amid the lava landscapes and ash deposits these explosions produce.

Water resources. Volcanic eruptions might be sources of pollution. The chemical composition of the water, changed by the intrusion of volcanic ash and gases, would threaten human drinking water and aquatic life.

Changes in terrain. New landforms from volcanic eruptions range widely from crater lakes to lava terraces to volcanic islands. Changes to the terrain could have broad effects on the local geological formations and ecosystems.

Volcanic eruptions mostly influence the climate through short- and medium-term temperature variations, changes in the atmospheric radiative balance, and emission of molecules into the atmosphere. These effects could be more local or global.

During volcanic eruptions, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) released interacts chemically with stratospheric water vapor to produce sulfuric acid aerosols. These aerosol particles' capacity to deflect and distribute sunlight lowers the solar energy reaching the surface, lowering global temperatures. We call these phenomena "volcanic winter."

Large amounts of ash and particulate matter expelled during volcanic eruptions have the power to block sunlight, therefore producing quick cooling effects that may affect a particular area or the earth overall. Though the volcanic particles stay in the atmosphere for just a few days to a few weeks, significant volcanic eruptions may have long-lasting effects spanning several months.

Volcanic eruptions might affect the circulation patterns of the seas and atmosphere by changing the quantity of aerosols in the atmosphere, which affects the global climate system. Emitted sulfuric acid aerosols from volcanic eruptions might linger in the stratosphere for a long time, causing a continuous cooling impact on the global climate system.

Therefore, besides burning the planet's surface with magma and causing terrible tsunamis in coastal regions, volcanic eruptions will continue to affect climate change and provide unexpected rains and milder summer temperatures. Volcanic eruptions historically have caused protracted periods devoid of summer-like circumstances. The Tambora volcanic eruption in Indonesia in 1815 caused a notable departure from regular climate trends in the northern hemisphere. For Asia, America, and Europe, summer brought snowstorms and shockingly low temperatures. In the northern hemisphere, the lower summer temperatures led to agricultural losses and consequent famine.