The Evolution of the Pinatubo Stratospheric Aerosol Layer Observed by Lidar at South Pole, Rome, Thule: a Summary of Results

Stratospheric aerosol observations have been carried out with three lidars, in the period preceeding and following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The lidars were located at South Pole, Rome and Thule. The detailed analysis of the results is still under way: their general features and highlights are summarised in this paper. The aerosol backscattering data show the global evolution of the volcanic aerosol cloud in relation to the general circulation of the atmosphere and to microphysical processes. Other inferred parameters are the mass, the center of mass of the cloud. and the size distribution of the aerosol. Correlations between the aerosol and the ozone contents. found after all main eruptions since 1962, have been confirmed. Large effects on polar stratospheric cloud activity have been recorded.