Volcanic Eruptions Reduce Water Flow in the World's Major Rivers

It turns out that major volcanic eruptions don't just have an effect on Earth's atmosphere; they also may impact the world's water. Scientists have found that volcanic eruptions affect the flow of the world's major rivers.

In this latest study, the researchers aimed to better understand how big volcanic eruptions, which can trigger a shortage of rainfall in many regions of the world, can impact rivers. They hoped to learn a bit more in order to predict how water availability might be affected by future eruptions.

In this latest study, the researchers analyzed records of flow in 50 major rivers. Their study spanned the dates of major eruptions, including Krakatoa in 1883 to Pinatubo in 1991. The researchers grouped the rivers by region in order to help identify the influence of volcanoes, and also used computer models linking rainfall with eruptions to predict where rivers were likely to be affected.

As volcanoes eject aerosol particles, these particles reflect sunlight, cool the atmosphere and reduce rainfall. This, in turn, can reduce river flow.

So what did they find? It turns out that eruptions were followed a year or two later by reduced flow in some rivers. In general, this was particularly present in tropical regions and northern Asia; it included the Amazon, the Congo and the Nile. However, flow also increased in some sub-tropical regions due to the disruption to atmospheric circulation patterns; this included the southwest United States and parts of South America.

The findings reveal a bit more about river flow, and show what might be in store for the future if volcanic eruptions occur.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

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