Basaltic fissure eruptions, plume heights, and atmospheric aerosols

Stothers, Richard B.; Wolff, J. A.; Self, Stephen; Rampino, Michael R.

doi:10.1029/gl013i008p00725

Cited by 107 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In support of this, observations of a widespread sulfurous haze over Europe in 1783 Witham and Oppenheimer, 2005;Schmidt et al, 2011), as well as a sulfuric acidity peak in Greenland ice in 1783 suggest that the Laki eruption column reached the lower stratosphere. For the much larger-volume lava fl ows typical of continental fl ood basalt eruptions, the models of convective plume height also indicate that sulfur-rich eruption plumes could reach the lower stratosphere by direct injection in an eruption column (Stothers et al, 1986;, or by injection within a volcanic plume helped by convection above a large, active lava fi eld (Kaminski et al, 2011), or perhaps by a lofting of gases into the lower stratosphere in deep convective systems (e.g., Bourassa et al, 2012). Future efforts in this area should also account for paleo-atmospheric temperatures and composition when using plume rise models because the tropopause height is likely to differ signifi cantly compared to the present day in, for example, a much warmer Late Cretaceous atmosphere.…”

Section: Gas Injection Heights Of Flood Basalt Eruptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emplacement characteristics, time scales, and volcanic gas release rates of continental flood basalt eruptions on Earth

Self¹,

Schmidt²,

Mather³

2014

Volcanism, Impacts, and Mass Extinctions: Causes and Effects

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Continental fl ood basalt provinces are the subaerial expression of large igneous province volcanism. The emplacement of a continental fl ood basalt is an exceptional volcanic event in the geological history of our planet with the potential to directly impact Earth's atmosphere and environment. Large igneous province volcanism appears to have occurred episodically every 10-30 m.y. through most of Earth history. Most continental fl ood basalt provinces appear to have formed within 1-3 m.y., and within this period, one or more pulses of great magma production and lava eruption took place. These pulses may have lasted from 1 m.y. to as little as a few hundred thousand years. Within these pulses, tens to hundreds of volumetrically large eruptions took place, each producing 10 3 -10 4 km 3 of predominantly pāhoehoe lava and releasing unprecedented amounts of volcanic gases and ash into the atmosphere. The majority of magmatic gas species released had the potential to alter climate and/or atmospheric composition, in particular during violent explosive phases at the eruptive vents when volcanic gases were lofted into the stratosphere. Aside from the direct release of magmatic gases, magma-sediment interactions featured in some continental fl ood basalt provinces could have released additional carbon, sulfur, and halogen-bearing species into the atmosphere. Despite their potential importance, given the different nature of the country rock associated with each continental fl ood basalt province, it is diffi cult to make generalizations about these emissions from one province to another. The coincidence of continental fl ood basalt volcanism with periods of major biotic change is well substantiated, but the actual mechanisms by which *steve

show abstract

Section: Gas Injection Heights Of Flood Basalt Eruptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emplacement characteristics, time scales, and volcanic gas release rates of continental flood basalt eruptions on Earth

Self¹,

Schmidt²,

Mather³

2014

Volcanism, Impacts, and Mass Extinctions: Causes and Effects

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although the SO: injected into the troposphere drops out quickly, the SO2 rained-out during these prolonged eruptions is replaced by the continuous eruption, so that the net effect is similar to a long-lived cloud from a short-burst, stratospheric eruption. Thus it is possible that flood basalt eruptions have caused infrequent but major climate change, owing primarily to their higher sulfur discharge and long-term activity [Rampino and Self, 1984;Stothers et al, 1986].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A proposed volcanic sulfur dioxide index (VSI)

Schnetzler¹,

Bluth²,

Krueger³

et al. 1997

J. Geophys. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. This paper proposes a volcanic SO 2 index (VSI), on the basis of a 15-year satellite sampling of volcanic eruptions. This index is scaled to be compatible with the commonly cited volcanic explosivity index (VEI) used to compare explosive volcanic eruptions. A range of SO2 for each VEI level is proposed so that estimates of SO2 emission can be made from the historic VEI database. Volcanic SO2 from large eruptions can be routinely measured by satellite instruments, and for the smaller eruptions, where the sensitivity of satellite remote sensing is not sufficient, ground-based measurements are becoming more available. At the present time we do not think SO2 can be used to define an accurate climate-perturbation index, as we have both insufficient data on volcanic SO2 and understanding of the volcano-climate relationship.

show abstract

“…In most basaltic eruptions, released volatiles remain in the troposphere, but at high latitudes, the tropopause is relatively low. As a result, large mass flux basaltic fissure eruption plumes have the potential to transport SO 2 and other volatiles into the stratosphere (Stothers et al, 1986;Self et al, 1998). Sulfuric acid aerosol particles that form in the stratosphere after such eruptions have a longer residence time and greater global dispersal than if the SO 2 remains in the troposphere, thereby resulting in greater effects on climate and atmospheric chemistry.…”

Section: Fa Frey Et Al Leg 183 Synthesis: a Large Igneous Province 18mentioning

confidence: 99%

Leg 183 Synthesis: Kerguelen Plateau–Broken Ridge—A Large Igneous Province

Frey¹,

Coffin²,

Wallace³

et al. 2003

Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Kerguelen Plateau and Broken Ridge form a large igneous province (LIP) in the southern Indian Ocean. The main objectives of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 183 were to understand the origin and evolution of this LIP and the impact of its formation on the environment. Igneous basement (33 to 233 m of penetration) has been recovered from 11 drill sites on the LIP, and 7 are Leg 183 sites. Studies of the basement and sediment cores lead to the following conclusions. Although an important caveat is that we have access only to uppermost basement of a thick (~20 km) igneous crust, these results are inconsistent with massive volcanism associated with a single plume head and continental breakup. 2. The uppermost igneous basement is dominantly tholeiitic basalt. Based on the physical characteristics of the lava flows, which indicate subaerial eruption, and the occurrence of overlying terrestrially derived sediments containing wood fragments, fern remains, and terrestrial palynoflora, much of the LIP was above sea level when magmatic output was high. 3. The geochemical characteristics of basalt forming the LIP are unlike mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB). There are, however,

show abstract

Basaltic fissure eruptions, plume heights, and atmospheric aerosols

Cited by 107 publications

References 24 publications

Emplacement characteristics, time scales, and volcanic gas release rates of continental flood basalt eruptions on Earth

Emplacement characteristics, time scales, and volcanic gas release rates of continental flood basalt eruptions on Earth

A proposed volcanic sulfur dioxide index (VSI)

Leg 183 Synthesis: Kerguelen Plateau–Broken Ridge—A Large Igneous Province

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About