Determining the vertical distribution of volcanic plumes and SO2 column amounts from 2004–2013

The statistics of volcanic eruptions and injections of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) into the atmosphere during 2004–2013 are determined using information gathered from the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), respectively. Volcanic eruptions are observed during this period, which is known as a quiescent period of no significant volcanic activity. A total of 6113 eruptions were analyzed during this period and we determined 93 instances of the volcanic plumes entering the stratosphere. The heights of the volcanic plumes are correlated to the corresponding SO₂ column amounts. We noted an increase in SO₂ column amount with increasing plume height in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes while SO₂ amounts were more constant with increasing plume heights in the tropics. The amount of SO₂ injected into the atmosphere by the eruptions is calculated by using a 2˚ × 2˚ grid surrounding the center of each volcano. The grid represented the bulk of the SO₂ that could possibly be carried into the stratosphere and have an impact on the stratospheric aerosol optical depth (AOD). We observed a total of 1.8Tg of SO₂ injected into the atmosphere during this period. We noted a correlation between increased SO₂ from tropical volcanic eruptions and increased stratospheric AOD integrated from 15km to 40km. The research presented allows for further distinctions of the volcanic contributions of SO₂ in our atmosphere from anthropogenic sources of SO₂ such as those originating from thermal power plants.