Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
ACP
Articles | Volume 24, issue 4
Articles | Volume 24, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2415-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2415-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 24, issue 4
Research article
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26 Feb 2024
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 26 Feb 2024

Explaining the green volcanic sunsets after the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa

Christian von Savigny, Anna Lange, Christoph G. Hoffmann, and Alexei Rozanov

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Editorial statement
The Royal Society report on the Krakatoa eruption included some marvelous paintings of extraordinary and highly unusual green sunsets. This article provides a novel explanation employing a detailed physical model that emphasizes the necessity for large sizes and amounts of aerosols.
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Short summary
It is well known that volcanic eruptions strongly affect the colours of the twilight sky. Typically, volcanic eruptions lead to enhanced reddish and violet twilight colours. In rare cases, however, volcanic eruptions can also lead to green sunsets. This study provides an explanation for the occurrence of these unusual green sunsets based on simulations with a radiative transfer model. Green volcanic sunsets require a sufficient stratospheric aerosol optical depth and specific aerosol sizes.
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