PhD Position: Modelling volcanic eruptions using sulfur isotopes

Large volcanic eruptions significantly affect the Earth's climate. They inject large quantities of sulfur dioxide (SO2) that form aerosols, which scatter solar radiation. The impact of a volcanic eruption is dependent on whether the eruption reaches the stratosphere, where aerosols have a longer lifetime. Sulfur isotope signatures can provide a new method for identifying stratospheric eruptions in the past. Large anomalies in isotopic signatures of aerosol deposited from volcanic eruptions were observed in ice-core deposits. These signatures were linked to SO2 photo-chemistry that can only occur in the stratosphere.

The successful candidate will simulate the photo-chemical processes that lead to the formation of these isotopic anomalies in stratospheric aerosol from volcanic eruptions. He/She will then use a chemistry-transport model to trace the evolution of these anomalies during transport from the stratosphere to deposition locations at the poles, where the isotopic anomalies were detected. The project involves a close collaboration with the Max-Plank Institute in Mainz, that develops the EMAC model used in this project.