Global and Polar Region Temperature Change Induced by Single Mega Volcanic Eruption Based on Community Earth System Model Simulation

Abstract

In order to understand the pure long-term influence of single mega volcanic eruption (SMVE) of universal significance on global and polar region temperature changes, the AD 1258 Samalas mega volcanic eruption in Indonesia which is the largest eruption over the past millennium is selected as an ideal eruption for simulation study based on Community Earth System Model. Both reconstructions and simulations show that the Northern Hemisphere experienced nearly two decades of strong cooling after the Samalas mega eruption. The significant cooling in the Arctic lasts for 16 years, while the cooling in the Antarctic lasts only 2 years. As the volcanic aerosol gradually disappears, stronger cooling occurs in Arctic winter, and warming occurs in Antarctic winter. This asymmetric temperature changes over Arctic and Antarctic after SMVE (such as Samalas) are caused by the combined effects of albedo feedback and ocean-atmosphere heat exchange related to sea ice.