SAGE II Data
Since mid-June 1991, NASA Langley's SAGE II instrument has been monitoring the long-term global effects of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. When the volcano erupted, it dispersed immense quantities of aerosols into the Earth's upper atmosphere which reacted with atmospheric chemicals to form massive aerosol concentrations across the globe.

The first plot shows a relatively aerosol-free atmosphere before the eruption. Global Aerosols - 91-April-10 to 91-May-13 - Opens in new window
Global Aerosol - 91-June-15 to 91-July-25 - Opens in new window The second plot reveals the tremendous aerosol dispersal in the tropics immediately following the eruption.
The third plot shows the movement of aerosols approximately three months following the eruption. Global Aerosol - 91-August-23 to 91-September-30 - Opens in new window
Global Aerosol - 93-December-5 to 94-January-16 - Opens in new window The fourth plot illustrates how volcanic aerosols tend to linger in the atmosphere many months following an eruption.
The global distribution of aerosols is regularly monitored by SAGE II.

Time lapse animation of SAGE II stratospheric aerosol optical depth for 1985-1997.

STUDENTS ON-LINE ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
Responsible NASA Official: Dr. Lin Chambers
SAGE III Mission at NASA Langley Research Center
Document Curator: Joyce D. Fischer, SAIC
NASA Privacy Statement - Feedback on Langley Products and Services