Evaluating the structure and magnitude of the ash plume during the initial phase of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption using lidar observations and NAME simulations

Dacre, Helen; Grant, A. L. M.; Hogan, Robin J.; Belcher, Stephen E.; Thomson, David J.; Devenish, B. J.; Marenco, Franco; Hort, Matthew C.; Haywood, Jim M.; Ansmann, Albert; Mattis, Ina; Clarisse, Lieven

doi:10.1029/2011jd015608

Cited by 105 publications

(142 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…In panel c the transport time from the shortest distance to the lidar site shows the same behavior with the two main layers. Short transportation times of around 24 h are visible which are in accordance to Dacre et al (2011). In addition to the IN occurrence, the relative humidity with respect to ice is important for cirrus formation and persistent behavior of the ice crystals.…”

Section: Trajectory Analysismentioning

confidence: 55%

Lidar observation and model simulation of a volcanic-ash-induced cirrus cloud during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption

Rolf

Krämer

Schiller³

et al. 2012

Atmos. Chem. Phys.

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Abstract. Heterogeneous ice formation induced by volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption in April 2010is investigated based on the combination of a cirrus cloud observed with a backscatter lidar over Jülich (western Germany) and model simulations along backward trajectories. The microphysical properties of the cirrus cloud could only be represented by the microphysical model under the assumption of an enhanced number of efficient ice nuclei originating from the volcanic eruption. The ice nuclei (IN) concentration determined by lidar measurements directly before and after cirrus cloud occurrence implies a value of around 0.1 cm −3 (in comparison normal IN conditions: 0.01 cm −3 ). This leads to a cirrus cloud with rather small ice crystals having a mean radius of 12 µm and a modification of the ice particle number (0.08 cm −3 instead of 3 × 10 −4 cm −3 under normal IN conditions). The effectiveness of ice nuclei was estimated by the use of the microphysical model and the backward trajectories based on ECMWF data, establishing a freezing threshold of around 105 % relative humidity with respect to ice in a temperature range from −45 to −55 • C . Only with these highly efficient ice nuclei was it possible for the cirrus cloud to be formed in a slightly supersaturated environment.

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Section: Trajectory Analysismentioning

confidence: 55%

Lidar observation and model simulation of a volcanic-ash-induced cirrus cloud during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption

Rolf

Krämer

Schiller³

et al. 2012

Atmos. Chem. Phys.

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“…Volcanic particles were observed in the UK, Ireland, Germany and France from very low altitudes up to the upper troposphere throughout most of 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruptive period (e.g. Pappalardo et al, 2010a;Schumann et al, 2011;Campanelli et al, 2012;Dacre et al, 2011;O'Dowd et al, 2012;Ansmann et al, 2011;Hervo et al, 2012;Matthias et al, 2012). The cloud was also observed over Switzerland, Poland and Norway (Bukowiecki et al, 2011;Markowicz et al, 2012;Campanelli et al, 2012;Schumann et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Multi-wavelength Raman lidar observations of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic cloud over Potenza, southern Italy

et al. 2012

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Abstract. During the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in April-May 2010 multi-wavelength Raman lidar measurements were performed at the CNR-IMAA Atmospheric Observatory (CIAO), whenever weather conditions permitted observations. A methodology both for volcanic layer identification and accurate aerosol typing has been developed. This methodology relies on the multi-wavelength Raman lidar measurements and the support of long-term lidar measurements performed at CIAO since 2000. The aerosol mask for lidar measurements performed at CIAO during the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption has been obtained. Volcanic aerosol layers were observed in different periods: 19-22 April, 27-29 April, 8-9 May, 13-14 May and 18-19 May. A maximum aerosol optical depth of about 0.12-0.13 was observed on 20 April, 22:00 UTC and 13 May, 20:30 UTC. Volcanic particles were detected at low altitudes, in the free troposphere and in the upper troposphere. Occurrences of volcanic particles within the PBL were detected on 21-22 April and 13 May. A Saharan dust event was observed on 13-14 May: dust and volcanic particles were simultaneously detected at CIAO at separated different altitudes as well as mixed within the same layer.Lidar ratios at 355 and 532 nm, theÅngström exponent at 355/532 nm, the backscatter-relatedÅngström exponent at 532/1064 nm and the particle linear depolarization ratio at 532 nm measured inside the detected volcanic layers are discussed. The dependence of these quantities on relative humidity has been investigated by using co-located microwave profiler measurements. The measured values of these intensive parameters indicate the presence of volcanic sulfates/continental mixed aerosol in the volcanic aerosol layers observed at CIAO. In correspondence of the maxima observed in the volcanic aerosol load on 19-20 April and 13 May, different values of intensive parameters were observed. Apart from the occurrence of sulfate aerosol, these values indicate also the presence of some ash which is affected by the aging during transport over Europe.

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“…In addition, extensive aircraft-based measurements have been made (Schumann et al, 2011). The observations have led to studies of the spatial propagation of the plume Flentje et al, 2010;Schumann et al, 2011;Dacre et al, 2011;Emeis et al, 2011;Gasteiger et al, 2011;Mona et al, 2012;Pappalardo et al, 2013;Rauthe-Schöch et al, 2012), microphysical properties Gasteiger et al, 2011;Seifert et al, 2011;Groß et al, 2012;Mona et al, 2012) and ice formation (Hoyle et al, 2011;Seifert et al, 2011;Steinke et al, 2011;Bingener et al, 2012). Estimates of the aerosol mass have been attempted Gasteiger et al, 2011).…”

Section: T Trickl Et Al: Stratospheric Aerosol: From Fuego To Eyjafmentioning

confidence: 99%

35 yr of stratospheric aerosol measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen: from Fuego to Eyjafjallajökull, and beyond

et al. 2013

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Lidar measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) have almost continually delivered backscatter coefficients of stratospheric aerosol since 1976. The time series is dominated by signals from the particles injected into or formed in the stratosphere due to major volcanic eruptions, in particular those of El Chichon (Mexico, 1982) and Mt Pinatubo (Philippines, 1991). Here, we focus more on the long-lasting background period since the late 1990s and 2006, in view of processes maintaining a residual lower-stratospheric aerosol layer in absence of major eruptions, as well as the period of moderate volcanic impact afterwards. During the long background period the stratospheric backscatter coefficients reached a level even below that observed in the late 1970s. This suggests that the predicted potential influence of the strongly growing air traffic on the stratospheric aerosol loading is very low. Some correlation may be found with single strong forest-fire events, but the average influence of biomass burning seems to be quite limited. No positive trend in background aerosol can be resolved over a period as long as that observed by lidar at Mauna Loa. We conclude that the increase of our integrated backscatter coefficients starting in 2008 is mostly due to volcanic eruptions with explosivity index 4, penetrating strongly into the stratosphere. Most of them occurred in the mid-latitudes. A key observation for judging the role of eruptions just reaching the tropopause region was that of the plume from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull above Garmisch-Partenkirchen (April 2010) due to the proximity of that source. The top altitude of the ash above the volcano was reported just as 9.3 km, but the lidar measurements revealed enhanced stratospheric aerosol up to 14.3 km. Our analysis suggests for two or three of the four measurement days the presence of a stratospheric contribution from Iceland related to quasi-horizontal transport, differing from the strong descent of the layers entering Central Europe at low altitudes. The backscatter coefficients within the first 2 km above the tropopause exceed the stratospheric background by a factor of four to five. In addition, Asian and Saharan dust layers were identified in the free troposphere, Asian dust most likely even in the stratosphere

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Evaluating the structure and magnitude of the ash plume during the initial phase of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption using lidar observations and NAME simulations

Cited by 105 publications

References 25 publications

Lidar observation and model simulation of a volcanic-ash-induced cirrus cloud during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption

Lidar observation and model simulation of a volcanic-ash-induced cirrus cloud during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption

Multi-wavelength Raman lidar observations of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic cloud over Potenza, southern Italy

35 yr of stratospheric aerosol measurements at Garmisch-Partenkirchen: from Fuego to Eyjafjallajökull, and beyond

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