If there was a massive eruption from Mount Vesuvius, would that slow down global warming for a few decades?

Answer 1

It depends on the type of eruption.

An eruption spewing tons of debris up high can cause a "nuclear winter"-type effect. An eruption releasing more gases up high, and less debris up high more stuff going down the mountain than up) can cause a warming event. There is evidence for volcanoes having done both.

http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/climate_effects.html

Answer 2

Probably from Mount Vesuvius would have little effect. Another, Krakatoa-like eruption, however, would have a similar effect to nuclear winter, blocking the sun's rays and filling the air with sulphuric gases, all around the earth. Alternately, a nuclear war would do the trick. It might, however, be a slightly better idea to cut carbon emissions.
Oh, some people in the US have had the same bright idea of releasing sulphuric gases to combat global warming. Somehow, it hasn't caught on.

Answer 3

It would slow down global warming only in that its ash and debris would block out the sun reducing the earth's solar intake. TV Shows that talk about the Yellowstone Caldera blowing say that could lower global avg. temp by 5 degrees. Global warming is coming from sun rays that heat up earth's surface through radiation, which then heat up the atmostphere filled with all these greenhouse gases that hold on to the heat more than our regular atmostphere would. With the volcano, some of the sun's rays woudn't even reach the ground.

Answer 4

Mount Pinotubo was a eruption like you are thinking, it cooled the earth for close to 2 years, then slowly everything went back to normal

Answer 5

Probably, but we'd all choke on the poisonous gas. That's if we don't get incinerated by the pyroclastic surge. Otherwise, see above. Basically, not good. Besides, we could just wait for the supervolcano under Yellowstone Park in America to get its finger out. Earth's destruction, HERE WE COME.

Answer 6

It would speed things up because of the massive release of carbon dioxide.

Answer 7

It MIGHT, but then, it might not. It would also have the non-beneficial effect of blotting out so much light that crops die and millions might starve.

Seems like a better plan would be to cut our own carbon emissions.

Answer 8

It might. It all depends on the size, but it's been observed in the past that it can happen.

Answer 9

no. it can cause green house effect on the earth

Answer 10

No