Volcanoes are Our Friend
Peter Trute
Brisbane Courier Mail, Australia
____________________
Volcanic eruptions may be destructive but over the past century they have actually slowed the rise of ocean levels caused by global warming.
CSIRO researchers have found volcanic clouds hurled into the atmosphere by eruptions have caused a temporary cooling of the atmosphere and the seas.
This has temporarily slowed the rise of sea levels which has been happening at the rate of about 1.8mm a year for the past century.
CSIRO team leader Dr John Church said the research showed for the first time how volcanic emissions can affect sea temperatures and levels.
"For one to two years after a major eruption the oceans cool and the sea levels fall," Dr Church said.
After Mt Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines in 1991 there was a drop in sea levels of about 5mm, he said.
Nov 04, 2005
Peter Trute
Brisbane Courier Mail, Australia
____________________
Volcanic eruptions may be destructive but over the past century they have actually slowed the rise of ocean levels caused by global warming.
CSIRO researchers have found volcanic clouds hurled into the atmosphere by eruptions have caused a temporary cooling of the atmosphere and the seas.
This has temporarily slowed the rise of sea levels which has been happening at the rate of about 1.8mm a year for the past century.
CSIRO team leader Dr John Church said the research showed for the first time how volcanic emissions can affect sea temperatures and levels.
"For one to two years after a major eruption the oceans cool and the sea levels fall," Dr Church said.
After Mt Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines in 1991 there was a drop in sea levels of about 5mm, he said.
Nov 04, 2005
