'Swarm' of Volcanic Eruptions Could Help Mask Global Warming

The Sangeang Api volcano in Indonesia began erupting on May 30, vaulting ash, along with tiny particles known as volcanic sulfur aerosols, as high as 65,000 feet into the stratosphere. Dramatic images from the eruption show the mountain exploding like a mushroom cloud

The ash grounded air traffic in northwest Australia and parts of Indonesia, since those aerosols are hazardous to modern high bypass turbofan engines and can cause them to shut down in mid-flight

Giant volcanic eruptions — the most famous being the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, also in Indonesia — are well-known for their ability to temporarily cool the Earth. But this eruption, even counted alongside a concurrent one in Alaska, are not large enough to make much of an impact on the planet's temperature trends on their own. Read more...