Passage VII
Volcanoes put sulfur into the troposphere and the stratosphere, where the sulfur reacts to form sulfate aerosols (liquid droplets suspended in air). For locations at 50°N latitude, aerosols present at altitudes below 11 km scatter incoming solar energy, resulting in cooler air, while aerosols present at higher altitudes absorb incoming solar energy, warming the air.
Figure 1 shows the air temperature deviation at the surface of, and at 2 different altitudes above, a particular volcano (located at 50°N latitude), before and after it erupted. Figure 2 shows the maximum surface air temperature deviation associated with the specific mass of sulfate aerosols formed in the stratosphere after each of 8 volcanoes erupted.
Figure 1 adapted from Haraldur Sigurdsson, "Evidence of Voicanic Loading of the Atmosphere and Climate Response." ©1990 by Elsevier Science Publishers.
Figure 2 adapted from Michael Rampino, "Supereruptions as a Threat to Civilizations on Earth-like Planets." ©2002 by Elsevier Science (USA).
36. According to Figure 1, after the eruption, the greatest air temperature deviation at an altitude of 19 km was closest to which of the following?
Your Answer is
Correct Answer is H
Explanation
Look at the third chart in figure 1 (altitude=19 km), the maximum value of the ordinate after eruption is about 7°C