Available online
Description
This programme provides a splendid opportunity to show some classic volcanic eruptions in the context of their emissions of gas and the aerosols they produce. Climatic effects are illustrated and d...iscussed for eruptions this century and in the past. The effects of these aerosols in decreasing solar insolation is presented, and related to the complex story of how mean temperatures are affected in different parts of the Earth. Starting with recent well documented eruptions the programme moves back in time to illustrate and discuss historic eruptions of ever increasing scale and severity with regard to their environmental effects. Finally the extent and nature of plateau lava eruptions is shown in an item on the Columbia River basalts. The question could they be responsible for such severe climatic effects as to be the cause of mass extinctions is asked, and two opposing views are presented. The eruptions shown and discussed in detail include:- Mt. Pinatubo, 1991 /El Chichon, 1982 / Tambora, 1815 / Laki, 1783 / Toba, 75,000 years ago / Columbia River basalts, 17.5 - 15.5 Ma.
This programme provides a splendid opportunity to show some classic volcanic eruptions in the context of their emissions of gas and the aerosols they produce. Climatic effects are illustrated and d...iscussed for eruptions this century and in the past. The effects of these aerosols in decreasing solar insolation is presented, and related to the complex story of how mean temperatures are affected in different parts of the Earth. Starting with recent well documented eruptions the programme moves back in time to illustrate and discuss historic eruptions of ever increasing scale and severity with regard to their environmental effects. Finally the extent and nature of plateau lava eruptions is shown in an item on the Columbia River basalts. The question could they be responsible for such severe climatic effects as to be the cause of mass extinctions is asked, and two opposing views are presented. The eruptions shown and discussed in detail include:- Mt. Pinatubo, 1991 /El Chichon, 1982 / Tambora, 1815 / Laki, 1783 / Toba, 75,000 years ago / Columbia River basalts, 17.5 - 15.5 Ma.
| Module code and title: | S269, Earth and life |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S269; 06 |
| Recording date: | 1997-10-21 |
| First transmission date: | 1997-05-08 |
| Original broadcast channel: | BBC Prime |
| Published: | 1997 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:24:25 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Jackson |
| Narrator: | Carmen Jackson-Pryce |
| Contributors: | Richard Turco; Dave Rib; Alan Robock; Steven Carey; Haraldur Sigurdsson; Stephen Self; Stephen Reidel; Michael Rampino; Peter Francis |
| Publisher: | Open University |
| Keyword(s): | volcanic eruptions; impact on climate; lava flows; Mount Pinatubo; Philippines; volcanoes |
| Subject terms: | Climatic changes; Volcanoes; Weather - Effect of volcanic eruptions on |
| Production number: | FOUS808P |
| Videofinder number: | 5574 |
| Available to public: | no |
