Global Warming and Volcanoes?

Question

Some people believe that global warming is caused by volcanoes, but what are the elements in the smoke that causes this.

Answer 1

the past global warmings yess because volcanoes blow out different types of gases including Co2 gases.

Answer 2

Volcanoes tend to have a cooling effect on the planet.

Volcanic eruptions have the ability to affect global climate through the release of ash, and gases[1].  The most significant gas is sulfur dioxide (SO2).  Atmospheric SO2 converts to sulfur aerosols in the atmosphere.  Ash and sulfur aerosols tend have a negative radiative forcing by reflecting solar radiation back into space.  It appears that these aerosols also have a minor greenhouse gas effect, but the net affect is a negative radiative forcing.

The large eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 had a global cooling effect for the following few years.[2]

Volcanoes also emit greenhouse gases such as CO2, but the amount of these greenhouse gases pales in comparison to to greenhouse gases from anthropogenic (human) sources.

According to the best estimates[3], volcanoes release about 130-230 million tonnes (145-255 million tons) of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.  This estimate includes both subaerial and submarine volcanoes, about in equal amounts.  Emissions of CO2 by human activities, (including fossil fuel burning, cement production, and gas flaring) amount to about 27 billion tonnes per year (30 billion tons). Human activities produce much larger amounts of greenhouse gases than do volcanoes.

Answer 3

The most abundant gas typically released into the atmosphere from volcanic systems is water vapor (H20), followed by carbon dioxide (C02) and sulfur dioxide (S02). Volcanoes also release smaller amounts of others gases, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen chloride (HCL), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and helium (He).

Answer 4

? where did u get that? its not true! global warming is caused by co2 and other greenhouse gases! and its not the smoke its ash that messes with the climate and a volcano DID actually cause a short mild ice age but its wasn't all that mild to the people in that time! ever heard of the mini ice age? it lasted about 100 years i think a volcano went of and it was BIG  there was so much ash that it hung in the atmosphere 4 (like i said) almost 100 years it blocked the sun so much it was winter all the time its kinda like the 'how the dinosaurs died' theory is but not nearly as bad or as long but volcanoes might add to global warming it a little but i dont think its very much if any at all

Answer 5

Only at the onset most volcanic activity is associated with dimming which leads to cooling. Not all emissions have abundant CO2 levels, but can have a variety of different gases. Now for the tough part, less then 1% of the oceans have been expolered.  It makes me wonder just how many there really are. I heard estimates but no true affirmation. We know more about the moon then we do the oceans.

Answer 6

50 million lighting strikes world wild each year would do more damage than volcanoes

Answer 7

in books i read they say that the reason why the dinosarus were out is because of the volcanoes and that it clouded the sky. then since their is no sunlight, all the plants die and the meat eaters died because of no plant eaters. Maybe the smoke goes to the atmosphere and do something to the earth?

Answer 8

What's interesting is "skeptics" will use the volcano argument in two ways.  Some will claim volcano's emit more CO2 than humans (clearly not the case in modern times), so that's what's causing the warming.  Others will claim volcano's actually have a cooling effect (which appears to be true in the case of Mount Pinatubo in 1991), and it's a "lack" of eruptions that is responsible for the warming.  Such "skeptics" will accept any theory as long as it doesn't involve humans (I'm not sure where this "humans can do no wrong" mindset comes from).

The truth of the matter is it's more complicated that most people are willing to accept.  Volcano's can cause both warming and cooling, depending on the type, duration, and amount of emissions.

Answer 9

good question too bad i dont know

Answer 10

The first answer is correct.  There is no such thing as global warming.  That is a phrase used for political expediency.  The earth warms and cools according to numerous cycles and occassional events.  Volcanos can cause warming or cooling.   They emit CO2 and other greehouse gases to a lesser extent that can add to blanket effect of greenhouse gases but it is relatively minor compared to the amount already in the ocean and atmosphere.  Man's contribution is greater than volcanoes.    That doesn't mean that CO2 is a driver of temperature.  It has not been demonstrated to drive temperature.  Temperature however drives CO2 concentrations.  CO2 can also increase by unusual volcanic events and human activity.  The particulates in volcanic ash generally cool the earth over a couple years after major events.