Can the release of SO2 from the eruption cause acid rain?
[Sulfur is largely responsible for the problem of acid rain. It is oxidized into sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere that creates sulfuric acid when combined with atmospheric moisture. Nitrogen in the atmosphere oxidizes into nitrous oxides that produce nitric acid when combined with atmospheric moisture.] What was the character of past eruptions in the Cascade chain? [The mud flows from Mt. St. Helen’s dumped more than 75 million cubic yards of sediment into rivers, valleys, and reservoirs. Several pyroclastic flows left about 0.05 cubic mile of deposits in this area. About 230 square miles were devastated by the eruption.” (The Eruption, NGDC, p.4).] To affect the worldwide temperature, how much dust and ash would have to be added to the upper atmosphere? [With Mt. St. Helen’s I did find out that in addition to the ash cloud that stayed near the ground, millions of tons of fine ash were thrown high into the air and carried hundreds and thousands of miles downwind. These clouds, easily s
