Wong, Alvin;
Roy, Indrani;
Yim, Wyss;
Roy, Amitava;
(2025)
Volcanic eruptions as a cause of extreme weather with special focus on Hong Kong.
In: Dumka, Umesh, (ed.)
Air Pollution and Related Health Risks: Investigating Environmental Health and Sustainability.
(pp. 331-350).
Elsevier
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Abstract
This work explores whether volcanic eruptions-submarine, subaerial or mixed, have roles in extreme rainfall. Volcanic materials (water vapour, sulphur dioxide and aerosols) ejected by eruptions can be transported to a long distance by wind and can affect the regions far away from the sites of eruption. Based on the strength of eruptions, seasonal timing and location, volcanoes have the potential to influence oceanic and atmospheric circulation. Hence, the impact of each volcanic eruption can vary. Apart from circulation cells, related mechanisms for modulating precipitation include reduction of solar radiation and variation in the supply of condensation nuclei leading to cloud formation. Ozone distribution in the stratosphere is also altered by strong volcanic eruptions impacting the normal stratosphere-troposphere coupling. Using observation from satellite data and rainfall records from the Observatory of Hong Kong since 1963, this study showed that volcanic eruptions have contributed to several extreme records of rain in Hong Kong. The 1963 Agung eruption and the 1991 Pinatubo and Cerro Hudson eruptions can be linked to the driest year and eleventh driest year in Hong Kong respectively. Whereas, the 1982 El Chichón eruption and the 2008 Chaitén eruption could be associated with much excess rain in the country, the second and sixth wettest years on record respectively. The recent mixed eruption of Hunga Tonga from December 2021 to January 2022 is also examined in connection with extreme precipitation in some countries from east Asia. Improved understanding of the impact of volcanoes on climate will not only assist volcanic risk assessment but will also lead to advanced regional climate prediction.
| Type: | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Title: | Volcanic eruptions as a cause of extreme weather with special focus on Hong Kong |
| ISBN-13: | 9780443239656 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/B978-0-443-23965-6.00012-5 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23965-6.00012-5 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Earth Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10217705 |
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