How would studying a volcanic eruption help you investigate cooler temperatures on Earth?

Question

(1 point)
Volcanic eruptions eject carbon dioxide, which reflects incoming energy from the sun back to space, therefore cooling the surface of Earth.

Volcanic eruptions eject sulfur dioxide, which is converted to sulfuric acid, which then reflects incoming energy from the sun back to space, therefore cooling the surface of Earth.

Volcanic eruptions eject tsunamis, which reflect incoming energy from the sun back to space, therefore cooling the surface of Earth.

Volcanic eruptions eject water vapor, which reflects incoming energy from the sun back to space, therefore cooling the surface of Earth.

Answer 1

The correct statement is:

Volcanic eruptions eject sulfur dioxide, which is converted to sulfuric acid, which then reflects incoming energy from the sun back to space, therefore cooling the surface of Earth.

This process is known as volcanic aerosol production, where sulfur dioxide released during an eruption can form sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere, increasing the reflectivity of the atmosphere and leading to temporary cooling of the Earth's surface.