1996/04/15 by Gregory A. Zielinski, P. A. Mayewski, L. David Meeker +3 · 6 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Aeolian processes and effects #Cryospheric studies and observations
paper · doi:10.1029/96gl00706
openalex publication_date 1996/04/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
An ∼6‐year long period of volcanic sulfate recorded in the GISP2 ice core about 71,100 ± 5000 years ago may provide detailed information on the atmospheric and climatic impact of the Toba mega‐eruption. Deposition of these aerosols occur at the beginning of an ∼1000‐year long stadial event, but not immediately before the longer glacial period beginning ∼67,500 years ago. Total stratospheric loading estimates over this ∼6‐year period range from 2200 to 4400 Mt of H 2 SO 4 aerosols. The range in values is given to compensate for uncertainties in aerosol transport. Magnitude and longevity of the atmospheric loading may have led directly to enhanced cooling during the initial two centuries of this ∼1000‐year cooling event.