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https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL106619

*Authors*
Parker A. Case, Peter R. Colarco, O. Brian Toon, Paul A. Newman

*First published: 05 March 2024*

https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL106619


*Abstract*
The Chilean volcano Cerro Hudson erupted between August 8th and 15th, 1991,
injecting between 1.7 and 2.9 Tg of SO2 into the upper troposphere and
lower stratosphere. We simulate this injection using the Goddard Earth
Observing System Earth system model with detailed sulfur chemistry and
sectional aerosol microphysics, focusing on the resulting aerosols and
their contribution to the 1991 Antarctic Austral Springtime ozone hole. The
simulations show a column ozone deficit (12 DU) in the Southern Hemisphere
vortex collar region. The majority of this effect is between 10 and 20 km
and due to heterogeneous chemistry. The model shows a 26% decrease in ozone
from background levels at these altitudes, compared with in-situ
observations of a 50% decrease. Above 20 km, the dynamical response to the
eruption also causes lower ozone values, a novel modeling result. *This
experiment highlights potential interactions between proposed solar
radiation management geoengineering aerosols and volcanic eruptions.*

*Key Points*
The August 1991 eruption of Cerro Hudson is simulated using a model with
detailed aerosol microphysics and stratospheric chemistry

The model shows skill in simulating the satellite and in-situ observations
of the volcanic plume

These simulations present a prima facie case that this eruption contributed
to the anomalously high 1991 Austral Springtime ozone loss

*Plain Language Summary*
We simulated the August 1991 eruption of Chilean volcano Cerro Hudson.
Cerro Hudson erupted 2 months after the June 15th eruption of Pinatubo
which was one of the largest observed eruptions. The combination of these
two eruptions impacted the atmosphere by injecting volcanic aerosol which
are well represented by our model. In the case of Cerro Hudson, the
simulations show that the volcanic plume may have impacted the 1991
Antarctic ozone hole, both by directly impacting the chemistry of ozone
depletion and by altering the dynamics of the atmosphere, slowing down the
normal breakdown of the ozone hole caused by changes in weather. The
interaction between Cerro Hudson and Pinatubo shown here also reveal a need
for more research in how potential goengineering scenarios would interact
with volcanic eruptions.

*Source: AGU*

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