Volcanic Eruptions and Global Climate Change Essay -- Geology Global W

Volcanic Eruptions and Global Climate Change Abstract There has been much debate in recent decades over how much volcanic eruptions contribute to global climate change, the destruction of the ozone layer, and global warming. This electronic term paper deals with various sides of this debate. There will be a specific focus on the great nineteenth century eruptions of Tambora and Krakatoa. Table of Contents Introduction The Effects of Volcanoes on the Earth Systems in General The 18-- Eruption of Tambora and its Effects on the Earth Systems The 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa and its Effects on the Earth Systems Why Some Scientists are Saying that Volcanoes Do Not Have a Great Effect on Global Change Conclusion References Introduction Since the beginning of time, volcanoes have been erupting on Earth. Millions of years ago, they created the continents, and the gases they produced condensed in the atmosphere to rain and form the oceans. Today, volcanic eruptions are some of the most feared natural disasters on the face of our planet. Their destructive forces are powerful enough to wipe out entire cities and kill countless numbers of people and wildlife. There are, however, other effects of volcanic eruptions that we don't hear about on the news. One eruption actually has the power to decrease the temperature all over the globe and create a dust cloud that could linger as long as five years. Magma also contains gases that make a small but significant contribution to ozone depletion. The gargantuan eruptions of Tambora and Krakatoa in the nineteenth century, which will soon be discussed, are great examples of how volcanic eruptions affect global climate change. The Effects of Volcanoes on the Earth S... .... Available from: http://netsurf.geo.mtu.edu/~ekc/climate_volc2.html. Mattox, Steve. Volcanic Gases. (1998). Web site. Available from: http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/Gases/index.html. NASA Facts. Volcanoes and Global Climate Change. (1998). Web site. Available from: http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/NASA_FACTS/volcanoes/volcano.html. Bunce, Nigel and Jim Hunt. The Greatest Explosion. (1996). Web site. Available from: http://www.physics.uoguelph.ca/summer/scor/articles/scor43.htm. Volcano World. Images of Volcanoes. (1996). Web site. Available from: http://volcano.und.nodak.edu. Environmental Protection Agency Stratospheric Protection Division. Myth: Volcanoes and Oceans are Causing Ozone Depletion. (1997). Web site. Available from: http://biodec.wustl.edu/EnvSci/Ozone/stratosphere/myths/volcano.html.