The Katmai eruption had a significant affect on the world's climate.
The June 6th, 1912 Eruption of Katmai was the largest volcanic eruption to take place during the 20th Century; although, fortunately, no residents of Alaska's southern peninsula were killed, damage to the local environment and wildlife was extensive. In addition, decades after the historic event, scientists have determined that the Eruption of Katmai had a temporary-yet-profound effect on the world's climate.
Novarupta
Until the 1950s, it was widely believed that only Mount Katmai had erupted in 1912, due to the fact that the mountain had been substantively reduced in height, creating a crater 800 feet deep and 200 miles in diameter. Later, scientists concluded that the resulting volcanic material was, in fact, thickest closer to the Novarupta dome, one of five stratovolcanoes in the region, which is located six miles from Mount Katmai. Novarupta's eruption was so forceful that it had drained substantial amounts of magma from beneath Mount Katmai, leading to its noticeable reduction.
Regional Impacts
Alaska's southern peninsula experienced several earthquakes prior to the eruption. When the blast occurred on June 6th, it was reportedly so loud it could be heard in the city of Juneau, approximately 750 miles away. The massive amounts of superheated, volcanic material that was discharged flowed throughout the region for several days, destroying plants, trees and wildlife for approximately 40 square miles. The eruption also produced large plumes of ash and the release of sulphur dioxide, which created suffocating conditions for miles, ruined local water supplies and darkened the skies for several days. While many local residents had previously left the region or were able to safely evacuate after the eruption, wildlife populations throughout the peninsula were severely reduced due to the widespread destruction of their food sources. The stocks of sockeye salmon and cod near the neighboring Kodiak Islands also declined.
Effects on the Climate
While the enormous ash cloud that was discharged spread throughout North America over the coming weeks, and produced acid rain in distant cities like Vancouver, British Columbia, the eruption had additional and widespread impacts on the climate. The National Science Foundation utilized computer models in 2005 to conclude that the Alaskan eruption led to a significant cooling of the climate in North America, due to the increased levels of ash and sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. This, in turn, altered climate patterns in south Asia, producing abnormally warm and dry conditions in India that summer.
Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
Robert Griggs led an expedition to the Katmai area for the National Geographic Society in 1916 to survey and study the environmental impacts of the eruption. They discovered that the Ukak river valley had been completely covered by volcanic material and, due to the water trapped below, thousands of steam discharges were escaping through various cracks and fissures. Accordingly, Griggs reportedly named it the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes; the steam has since ceased due to the cooling of the valley. In 1918, Katmai National Monument was created to protect the famed valley; in 1980, the region was declared a National Park and Preserve.
Tags: Eruption Katmai, Mount Katmai, volcanic material, Alaska southern, Alaska southern peninsula
