Joint Seminar: Validating global model predictions of aerosol-cloud interactions using a large volcanic fissure eruption
Mankind influences climate through emissions of both greenhouse gases and aerosols/aerosol precursors. Aerosol-climate impacts are highly uncertain owing primarily to their poorly quantified influence on cloud properties. Satellite observations show that during 2014-2015, a volcanic fissure eruption in Iceland emitted huge quantities of sulphur dioxide resulting in relatively pristine clouds being replaced by polluted clouds of higher reflectivity. We compare results from different state-of-the-art climate models and show that only one represents both the observed perturbation to cloud droplet effective radius and the negligible perturbation to cloud liquid water path. We estimate a global mean effective radiative forcing of around -0.2Wm-2 for the time period of investigation and conclude that aerosol-cloud interactions beyond the impact on cloud effective radius are small.
Datum
04.05.2016
Uhrzeit
13:30 Uhr
Ort
- Bundesstr. 53, room 022/023
- Seminar Room 022/023, Ground Floor, Bundesstrasse 53, 20146 Hamburg, Hamburg
ReferentIn
Jim Haywood, Met Office, United Kingdom