Sahel Droughts Induced by Large Volcanic Eruptions Over the Last Millennium in PMIP4/Past1000 Simulations

Abstract

Abstract This work provides evidence of the influence of large volcanic eruptions on Sahel rainfall relying on PMIP4/past1000 multi‐model simulations, covering the last millennium. A classification of volcanic eruptions in the last millennium according to the meridional symmetry of the associated radiative forcing reveals different mechanisms of the West African Monsoon response at inter‐annual timescale. In all cases, these simulated changes result in Sahel drying up to 2 years after an eruption. Besides, we add evidence of a role of varying volcanic activity across the past millennium in the Sahel precipitation variability at multi‐decadal to secular timescales.

Keywords

• Sahel drought
• volcanic forcing
• past millennium
• PMIP4