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A large volcanic eruption throws ash and dust high into the atmosphere. What is the usual effect on global temperature?
AIt falls for a year or more
BIt rises for a year or more
CIt falls for a century or so
DIt rises for a century or so
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. It falls for a year or more
1. An eruption itself lasts only days, but its solids and gases linger.
2. Suspended dust and ash block some of the sunlight reaching the surface.
3. Less sunlight arriving means lower global temperatures, which is haze effect cooling.
4. That cooling usually lasts for one or more years rather than a century.
5. Icelandic eruptions in 1783 produced some of the lowest winter temperatures on record.
_Source: OpenStax Biology 1e (CC BY 4.0), Chs 44 and 46, section 44.5 Climate and the Effects of Global Climate Change_
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