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The injection of sulfuric acid aerosols in the stratosphere by the El Chichón volcano and its related hazards to the international air traffic

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Abstract

With respect to atmospheric impact, the 1982 eruption of the El Chichón volcano in Mexico is one of the most significant volcanic events of this century. The presence in the stratosphere, during several years, of an unusally high amount of sulfuric acid aerosols produced by this eruption is thought to be responsible for severe windshield damages on high-flying commercial jets. This problem took epidemic proportions in 1983–1984 and the cost to commercial aviation companies is estimated at several tens of millions of U.S. dollars.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Géochimie, CP160, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 50 Av. Roosevelt, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

    A. Bernard

  2. Dept. of Geological Engineering, Geology and Geophysics, Michigan Technological University, 49931, Houghton, MI, U.S.A.

    W. I. Rose Jr.

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  1. A. Bernard
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  2. W. I. Rose Jr.
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Bernard, A., Rose, W.I. The injection of sulfuric acid aerosols in the stratosphere by the El Chichón volcano and its related hazards to the international air traffic. Nat Hazards 3, 59–67 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00144974

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00144974

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