Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-20
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-20
06 Jan 2023
 | 06 Jan 2023

Impact of a strong volcanic eruption on the summer middle atmosphere in UA-ICON simulations

Sandra Wallis, Hauke Schmidt, and Christian von Savigny

Abstract. Explosive volcanic eruptions emitting large amounts of sulfur can alter the temperature of the lower stratosphere and change the circulation of the middle atmosphere. The dynamical response of the stratosphere to strong volcanic eruptions has been the subject of numerous studies. The impact of volcanic eruptions on the mesosphere is less well understood because of a lack of large eruptions in the satellite era and only sparse observations before that period. Nevertheless, some measurements indicated an increase in mesospheric mid-latitude temperatures after the 1991 Pinatubo eruption. The aim of this study is to uncover potential dynamical mechanisms that may lead to such a mesospheric temperature response. We use the upper-atmospheric icosahedral non-hydrostatic (UA-ICON) model to simulate the atmospheric response to an idealized strong volcanic injection of 20 Tg S into the stratosphere (about twice as much as the eminent 1991 Pinatubo eruption). The simulation shows a significant warming of the polar summer mesospause of up to 15–21~K in the first November after the eruption. We argue that this is mainly due to intrahemispheric dynamical coupling in the summer hemisphere and potentially enhanced by interhemispheric coupling with the winter stratosphere. This study will focus on the first austral summer after the eruption, because mesospheric temperature anomalies are especially relevant for the properties of noctilucent clouds whose season peaks around January in the southern hemisphere.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

23 Jun 2023
| Highlight paper
Impact of a strong volcanic eruption on the summer middle atmosphere in UA-ICON simulations
Sandra Wallis, Hauke Schmidt, and Christian von Savigny
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7001–7014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7001-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7001-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor
Sandra Wallis, Hauke Schmidt, and Christian von Savigny

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-20', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 Feb 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sandra Wallis, 30 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-20', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Feb 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Sandra Wallis, 30 Mar 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-20', Anonymous Referee #1, 01 Feb 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sandra Wallis, 30 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-20', Anonymous Referee #2, 07 Feb 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Sandra Wallis, 30 Mar 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Sandra Wallis on behalf of the Authors (13 Apr 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (20 Apr 2023) by John Plane
AR by Sandra Wallis on behalf of the Authors (15 May 2023)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

23 Jun 2023
| Highlight paper
Impact of a strong volcanic eruption on the summer middle atmosphere in UA-ICON simulations
Sandra Wallis, Hauke Schmidt, and Christian von Savigny
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7001–7014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7001-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7001-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor
Sandra Wallis, Hauke Schmidt, and Christian von Savigny
Sandra Wallis, Hauke Schmidt, and Christian von Savigny

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Large volcanic eruptions can have significant effects on the atmosphere and on climate. Comparing the observed effects against model predictions is also a very valuable test of our scientific understanding of how the atmosphere works. This paper describes a model investigation of a hypothetical eruption, about twice the size of that of Pinatubo in 1991, and is unusual that it focuses on the response in the mesosphere -- the part of the atmosphere in the 50-80km altitude range. The eruption deposits aerosol in the tropics in the 20-25km altitude range, in the lower stratosphere and well below the mesosphere. The effect is felt in the mesosphere through dynamical coupling communicated through small-scale gravity waves, which transport momentum and as a result can drive changes in winds and temperatures. The predictions made in the paper will be helpful in future in interpreting changes in the mesosphere observed following volcanic eruptions.
Short summary
Strong volcanic eruptions are able to alter the temperature and the circulation of the middle atmosphere. This study simulates the atmospheric response to an idealized strong tropical eruption and focuses on the impact on the mesosphere. The simulations show a warming of the polar summer mesopause in the first November after the eruption. Our study indicate that this is mainly due to dynamical coupling in the summer hemisphere with a potential contribution from interhemispheric coupling.