Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) satellite observations of aerosols and SO2 emissions from the 2024 Ruang volcanic eruption

Indonesia’s Ruang volcano erupted on April 16, 2024, with subsequent eruptions on April 17 and 30. The resulting plume was observed rising to altitudes of up to 12 km. 10 days after the eruption of the Ruang volcano in April 2024, the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) observed notable increases in SO2 volume mixing ratios and aerosol extinction at an altitude of approximately 20 km. It was confirmed that the aerosols present were sulfate aerosols from their infrared spectra. The composition and size of the stratospheric sulfate aerosol particles were determined by fitting the infrared transmission spectra. The sulfate aerosols observed in the plume were about 64% (by weight) sulfuric acid, and the droplets had an average median radius of 0.127 µm.