Volcanic Eruptions Can Alter Earth's Temperature; What About Mount Lewotobi?

November 28, 2024 | 02:38 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Volcanic eruptions can affect global climate, both cooling and warming the Earth. According to Mirzam Abdurrachman, a researcher and volcano expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), three key factors influence the climatic effects of volcanic eruptions: the type of gases released, the intensity of the eruption, and the height of the eruption column.

Mirzam explained that volcanic eruptions release various gases, including sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). SO2 can lead to global cooling by reflecting sunlight back into space. “But if it emits CO2, it can contribute to global warming,” he told Tempo on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

He cited the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which resulted in a temporary decrease in global temperatures by less than 0.5 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the massive eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 caused a global cooling event, reducing global temperatures by nearly 2 degrees Celsius for several years.

According to him, there are three factors volcanic eruptions can decrease Earth's temperature. “A large release of SO2 gas, a deep magma source, and a high eruption column,” he said, mentioning Mount Tambora's eruption, which emitted 60-80 megatons or million tons of SO2 gas and had a column height of up to 40 kilometers, as the perfect illustration of these conditions.

Meanwhile, the recent eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, is not expected to have a significant impact on global temperatures. The eruption has exhibited explosive behavior, but its intensity and the amount of SO2 released are not comparable to that of Mount Tambora.

Mount Lewotobi has a documented history of eruptions since 1861. Significant eruptions occurred in 1865, 1868, 1907, and 1914. After a period of dormancy, the volcano reawakened in 1932, 1939, 1940, 2002, and most recently, in 2024. According to ITB’s page, longer intervals between eruptions often indicate a buildup of energy within the mountain.

Geologically, Mount Lewotobi, situated above the oceanic crust, typically exhibits effusive eruptions characterized by smooth lava flows. However, Mirzam said the recent eruption has surprised experts with its explosive behavior and continuous ash emissions. This shift in eruptive style is attributed to changes in the magma's composition from fluid basaltic to viscous andesitic magma with a higher silica (SiO2) content.

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