On the radiative forcing of volcanic plumes: modelling the impact of Mount Etna in the Mediterranean

Small to moderate volcanic eruptions, such as those from Mount Etna, significantly impact regional and global radiative forcing and climate, potentially more than previously estimated. This study quantifies the radiative effects of upper tropospheric volcanic plumes using advanced modeling techniques. It reveals that the single scattering albedo (SSA) and asymmetry factor (g) of aerosols—key optical properties—strongly influence radiative forcing at the surface and top of the atmosphere, particularly for sulfate-dominated plumes. While the Ångströem coefficient (alpha) has a lesser but noticeable effect, plume altitude and thickness show negligible impact on radiative effects. Additionally, coexisting marine or dust aerosols in the Mediterranean slightly modulate these effects, with changes up to 14% for surface forcing and 4% for the forcing ratio. These findings highlight the complex interplay between volcanic aerosols and climate, emphasizing the need for refined models to accurately assess their global impact.

Sellitto, P., & Briole, P. (2015). On the radiative forcing of volcanic plumes: modelling the impact of Mount Etna in the Mediterranean. Annals of Geophysics, 58. https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-6879