Magma volume, volatile emissions, and stratospheric aerosols from the 1815 eruption of Tambora

We suggest that the Tambora 1815 eruption was smaller than previously thought, yielding 30-33 km(3) of magma. Valuable insight into the eruption is gained by comparing it to the much smaller 1991 Pinatubo event, which had a similar eruption style and rate. By measuring pre- and post-eruption sulfur concentrations in 1815 ejecta, we estimate that Tambora released 53-58 Tg (5.3-5.8 x 10(13) g) of SO2 within a period of about 24 hours on 10-11 April, 1815. This was sufficient to generate between 93 and 118 Tg of stratospheric sulfate aerosols. A value within this range, distributed globally, agrees well with estimates of aerosol mass from ice-core acidity and the radiative impact of the eruption. In contrast to other recent explosive arc eruptions, the Tambora ejecta retain a record of the sulfur mass released, with no excess sulfur''.