Question

If a volcano were to erupt and release large amounts of ash into the air, how would this affect the climate on Earth? a. The ash would increase the greenhouse gases, thus increasing temperature. b. The ash would decrease the albedo and increase the global temperature. c. The ash would increase the albedo and decrease the global temperature. d. The ash would decrease the greenhouse gases, thus decreasing temperature.

Answer 1

c. The ash would increase the albedo and decrease the global temperature

Step-by-step explanation:

The volcanoes play a big role in the global climate, and it is manifested in two contrasting ways. From one side, the volcanoes, through their eruptions, release lot of greenhouse gasses, thus warming up the planet. On the other side, the volcanoes also release lot of ashes in the atmosphere, thus decreasing the global temperature. It all depends on the type of eruption. The volcanoes that have massive eruptions through which they propel lot of ash in the atmosphere, manage to create a cover in the atmosphere, which in turn acts like a barrier between the sunlight and the surface, increasing the albedo. By increasing the albedo in the atmosphere, the global temperatures will drop, as smaller amount of sunlight will reach the surface.