POTENTIAL ATMOSPHERIC IMPACT OF THE TOBA MEGA-ERUPTION SIMILAR-TO-71,000 YEARS AGO

An similar to 6-year long period of volcanic sulfate recorded in the G ISP2 ice core-about 71,100 +/- 5000 years ago may provide detailed inf ormation on the atmospheric and climatic impact of the Toba mega-erupt ion. Deposition of these aerosols occur at the beginning of an similar to 1000-year long stadial event, but not immediately before the longe r glacial period beginning similar to 67,500 years ago. Total stratosp heric loading estimates over this similar to 6-year period range from 2200 to 4400 Mt of H2SO4 aerosols. The range in values is given to com pensate for uncertainties in aerosol transport. Magnitude and longevit y of the atmospheric loading may have Icd directly to enhanced cooling during the initial two centuries of this similar to 1000-year cooling event.