The Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 affected the atmosphere in all of the following ways except which?
A) The atmospheric albedo increased.
B) An increase occurred in the amount of energy absorbed in the atmosphere.
C) A worldwide decrease in surface temperatures occurred in the two years after the eruption.
D) A decrease in atmospheric aerosols.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Mount Pinatubo eruption actually led to an increase in atmospheric aerosols, not a decrease. This is because the eruption released large amounts of sulfur dioxide gas into the atmosphere, which then combined with water vapor to form sulfate aerosols. These aerosols reflected incoming solar radiation back into space, leading to a cooling effect on the surface.

The Mount Pinatubo Eruption in June 1991 Affected the Atmosphere