Volcanoes could help stabilize monsoons, study finds
A new study shows that volcanic eruptions can seriously mess with Asia's monsoon rains, something billions depend on for food and water.
Led by Dr. Wenmin Man, researchers looked at 1,000 years of climate data and found that volcanoes cool the oceans in a way that copies a natural cycle called the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation, or IPO.
Volcanoes create a 'tripolar' effect
When volcanoes erupt, they send particles high into the sky that cool ocean waters.
This creates a "tripolar" effect: South Asia gets wetter, while Southeast Asia dries out, and northern East Asia follows South Asia's lead.
Dr. Man explained these changes happen outside of normal climate cycles.
Caution on geoengineering
The study cautions that deliberately injecting aerosols into the stratosphere would need careful study, because such interventions could interact with the climate system in complex ways.
As Dr. Man put it, such interventions could potentially amplify or modify natural variability that billions depend on, which isn't great news for anyone counting on steady monsoon rains.