Volcanic impacts on atmosheric dynamics (VolDyn)
ACRONYM
VolDyn
Title
Volcanic impacts on atmosheric dynamics (VolDyn)
General information
Stratospheric aerosol perturbations from large volcanic eruptions induce significant changes in atmospheric dynamics, with important consequences for climate. There is, however, poor understanding of the physical mechanisms linking the direct thermodynamic impacts of volcanic aerosol — heating of the lower stratosphere and cooling of the surface — with observed changes in large-scale circulation modes such as the North Atlantic Oscillation. Using global atmospheric model simulations complemented with observations from satellite- and ground-based instruments, VolDyn aims to develop a holistic understanding of how volcanic stratospheric aerosol causes changes in atmospheric dynamics in the troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere. Idealized model experiments will be used to probe the mechanisms linking volcanic aerosol forcing and dynamical response, and how the response is sensitive to the spatial structure of the aerosol forcing. VolDyn will investigate the impact of volcanic eruptions on mesospheric circulation and temperatures, and assess speculated links between eruptions and the formation of noctilucent clouds. VolDyn will identify and advance understanding of the most robust tropospheric dynamical responses to volcanic forcing in observations and model simulations, and assess the role of dynamical changes as feedbacks modulating the radiative impact of volcanic aerosols.
Start
February, 2019
End
December, 2019
Funding (total)
87000
Funding (GEOMAR)
-
Funding body / Programme
-
DFG
/
Coordination
Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald (null), Germany
Contact
Partners
University Greifswald, Germany
Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie, Germany
Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI), USA
New York University, USA
Colorado State University, USA
Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie, Germany
Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI), USA
New York University, USA
Colorado State University, USA
