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GCM simulations of volcanic aerosol forcing. I - Climate changes induced by steady-state perturbationsThe response of the climate system to a temporally and spatially constant amount of volcanic particles is simulated using a general circulation model (GCM). The optical depth of the aerosols is chosen so as to produce approximately the same amount of forcing as results from doubling the present CO2 content of the atmosphere and from the boundary conditions associated with the peak of the last ice age. The climate changes produced by long-term volcanic aerosol forcing are obtained by differencing this simulation and one made for the present climate with no volcanic aerosol forcing. The simulations indicate that a significant cooling of the troposphere and surface can occur at times of closely spaced multiple sulfur-rich volcanic explosions that span time scales of decades to centuries. The steady-state climate response to volcanic forcing includes a large expansion of sea ice, especially in the Southern Hemisphere; a resultant large increase in surface and planetary albedo at high latitudes; and sizable changes in the annually and zonally averaged air temperature.
Document ID
19940035656
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Pollack, James B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Rind, David
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Lacis, Andrew
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Hansen, James E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Sato, Makiko
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Ruedy, Reto
(NASA Goddard Inst. for Space Studies New York, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Climate
Volume: 6
Issue: 9
ISSN: 0894-8755
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
94A12311
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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