Logo link to homepage

Report on Atmospheric Effects (1980-1989) — May 1985


Atmospheric Effects (1980-1989)

Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin, vol. 10, no. 5 (May 1985)
Managing Editor: Lindsay McClelland.

Atmospheric Effects (1980-1989) El Chichón aerosols persist over low and mid latitudes

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 1985. Report on Atmospheric Effects (1980-1989) (McClelland, L., ed.). Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin, 10:5. Smithsonian Institution.



Atmospheric Effects (1980-1989)

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Stratospheric aerosol concentrations continued to decline through mid-May at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, but a new layer was detected just above the tropopause late in the month. The new layer was only a small anomaly on the 23 May lidar profile, but was somewhat stronger by the time of the next measurement on 30 May. It was not sharply defined, suggesting that it was at least a month old, although it had not been previously observed at Mauna Loa. Small layers of this type can be produced by recirculation of existing aerosols as well as by a new injection of material. No such layer was detected by the SAGE II support mission in late March and early April. Lidar at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany continued to detect remnants of the El Chichón stratospheric aerosol cloud. Layer altitudes and peak backscattering ratios changed little from February through April.

Information Contacts: R. Reiter, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, W. Germany; T. DeFoor, MLO, HI; W. Fuller, NASA, VA.