Australia's 'Black Summer' Fires Have Left a Shocking Effect on Earth's Atmosphere
12 APRIL 2021
The scorching destruction of Australia's Black Summer bushfires between 2019 and 2020 provided an ominous glimpse of fire's reach in our hotter, dryer world, and the impact of the unprecedented inferno is still being measured.
Just weeks ago, scientists observed that the amount of smoke spewed from the blaze into the atmosphere rivaled that of a great volcanic eruption. Now, researchers say the giant smoke cloud was so immense, it measurably heated the stratosphere for months on end.
In a new study led by first author and climate modeler Pengfei Yu from China's Jinan University, scientists simulated the plume's emergence and evolution, showing the worst documented wildfires in Australian history left a lasting impact on the region's skies.