Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-948
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-948
22 May 2023
 | 22 May 2023

State-dependent impact of major volcanic eruptions observed in ice-core records of the last glacial period

Johannes Lohmann, Jiamei Lin, Bo M. Vinther, Sune O. Rasmussen, and Anders Svensson

Abstract. Recently, a record of large, mostly unknown volcanic eruptions occurring during the younger half of the last glacial period (12–60 ka) has been compiled from ice-core records. In both Greenland and Antarctica these eruptions led to significant deposition of sulfate aerosols, which were likely transported in the stratosphere, thereby inducing a climate response. Here we report the first attempt to identify the climatic impact of volcanic eruptions in the last glacial period from ice cores. Average negative anomalies in high-resolution Greenland and Antarctic oxygen isotope records suggest a multi-annual volcanic cooling. Due to internal climate variability, glaciological noise, as well as uncertainties in the eruption age, the high-frequency noise level often exceeds the cooling induced by individual eruptions. Thus, cooling estimates for individual eruptions cannot be determined reliably. The average isotopic anomaly at the time of deposition also remains uncertain, since the signal degrades over time as a result of layer thinning and diffusion, which act to lower the resolution of both the oxygen isotope and sulfur records.

Regardless of these quantitative uncertainties, there is a clear relationship of the magnitude of isotopic anomaly and sulfur deposition. Further, the isotopic signal during the cold stadial periods is larger in Greenland and smaller in Antarctica than during the milder interstadial periods for eruptions of equal sulfur deposition magnitude. In contrast, the largest reductions in snow accumulation associated with the eruptions occur during the interstadial periods. This may be the result of a state-dependent climate sensitivity, but we cannot rule out that changes in the sensitivity of the isotope thermometer or in the radiative forcing of eruptions of a given sulfur ejection may play a role as well.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

09 Feb 2024
State-dependent impact of major volcanic eruptions observed in ice-core records of the last glacial period
Johannes Lohmann, Jiamei Lin, Bo M. Vinther, Sune O. Rasmussen, and Anders Svensson
Clim. Past, 20, 313–333, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-313-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-313-2024, 2024
Short summary
Johannes Lohmann, Jiamei Lin, Bo M. Vinther, Sune O. Rasmussen, and Anders Svensson

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Review of Lohmann et al., CPD, "State-depdendent impact of major volcanic eruptions observed in ice-core records of the last glacial period"', Anonymous Referee #1, 07 Sep 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Johannes Lohmann, 01 Nov 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-948', Anonymous Referee #2, 08 Sep 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Johannes Lohmann, 01 Nov 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Review of Lohmann et al., CPD, "State-depdendent impact of major volcanic eruptions observed in ice-core records of the last glacial period"', Anonymous Referee #1, 07 Sep 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Johannes Lohmann, 01 Nov 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-948', Anonymous Referee #2, 08 Sep 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Johannes Lohmann, 01 Nov 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (09 Nov 2023) by Amaelle Landais
AR by Johannes Lohmann on behalf of the Authors (11 Nov 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (14 Nov 2023) by Amaelle Landais
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (15 Dec 2023)
ED: Publish as is (22 Dec 2023) by Amaelle Landais
AR by Johannes Lohmann on behalf of the Authors (22 Dec 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

09 Feb 2024
State-dependent impact of major volcanic eruptions observed in ice-core records of the last glacial period
Johannes Lohmann, Jiamei Lin, Bo M. Vinther, Sune O. Rasmussen, and Anders Svensson
Clim. Past, 20, 313–333, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-313-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-20-313-2024, 2024
Short summary
Johannes Lohmann, Jiamei Lin, Bo M. Vinther, Sune O. Rasmussen, and Anders Svensson
Johannes Lohmann, Jiamei Lin, Bo M. Vinther, Sune O. Rasmussen, and Anders Svensson

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Latest update: 09 Feb 2024
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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.

Short summary
We present the first attempt to constrain the climatic impact of volcanic eruptions with return periods of hundreds of years by the oxygen isotope records of Greenland and Antarctic ice cores covering the last glacial period. A clear multi-annual volcanic cooling signal is seen, but its absolute magnitude is subject to the unknown glacial sensitivity of the proxy. Different proxy signals after eruptions during cooler versus warmer glacial stages may reflect a state-dependent climate response.