Explain how volcanic eruptions contribute to variations in Earth's temperature through geologic time and on historic time frames
What will be an ideal response?
Volcanoes emit gases to the atmosphere. Emitted carbon dioxide contributes to warming. Emitted sulfurous aerosols contribute to cooling. On historic time frames, the focus is on the larger volume of sulfurous aerosols compared to carbon dioxide. During historic times, therefore, highly explosive volcanic eruptions have typically been followed by unusually cool temperatures. On geologic time scales of millions or tens of millions of year, however, long periods of greater volcanic activity may also contribute significant amounts of carbon dioxide. During times when there are longer mid-ocean ridges or when sea-floor spreading rates are unusually high, there should also be more carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere; this may account for both warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels at times in the geologic past.
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