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).

39. Consider the, volcano whose data are shown in Figure 1. Suppose that the average air temperature 16 km above that volcano is -60.0°C. Based on Figure 1, on January 1, 1984, the measured air temperature 16 km above that same volcano would have been closest to which of the following?

Answer and Explanation

Your Answer is

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Calculation questions. Pay attention to the calculation formula below figure 1.

Look at the second chart in figure 1 (altitude=16 km), the abscissa is January 1984, and the corresponding ordinate deviation is about 4.0. At this time, the average air temperature=-60, so measured air temperature=4.0+(-60)=-57