# Global Warming Effects of Pollution vs. Nature **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 11, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-effects-of-pollution-vs-nature/113518 "2002-06-11T20:52:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![keeper0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@keeper0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keeper0)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-effects-of-pollution-vs-nature/113518/1 "2002-06-11T20:52:59Z")
I was having a discussion about global warming with a colleague, and he asked what the effect of a volcanic eruption is on the warming process. In other words, “How many days/years of man-made CO2 and other greenhouse gasses was the eruption of Mt. St. Helens equivalent to?” I mumbled something about “Apples and oranges… immaterial comparison… yadda yadda.” But that’s just because, like any good doper, I have a hard time saying “I don’t know.” to non-dopers. But, I don’t know. Can you help me out? I don’t want this to degenerate into a debate over “Is it hot in here or is it just me?” I have read many of those in the appropriate forum. [sub] My current views, as knowing them may help you respond to the question are: 1. Humanity’s activities have a net warming effect on the planet. 2. The earth is growing warmer. 3. #2 is a bad thing. 4. Given #3, whether or not #1 is the dominant reason for #2, we should strive to minimize our impact. My colleague responded, reasonably, that if #1 is neglible on #2 why should we spend a lot of money on it, and then asked the volcano question.[/sub] Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-effects-of-pollution-vs-nature/113518/2 "2002-06-11T22:50:07Z")
I have heard that Mt. Vasuvius (sp) has put more CO2 into the air then all of mankind through history. This is the only reference to it that I recall right now and not sure where it came from (sorry) As for my views they pretty much are that of your friends. ---
**Author:** ![Pythagoras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@Pythagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagoras)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-effects-of-pollution-vs-nature/113518/3 "2002-06-11T23:05:05Z")
Maybe the fact that volcanoes are sporatic while human pollution is constant and growing is a factor. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-effects-of-pollution-vs-nature/113518/4 "2002-06-12T00:04:49Z")
Worldwide coal production is [~4.6e9 tons/year](http://spans.gscc.nrcan.gc.ca/~ren/coal/). If we convert that all to CO2 that’s 16.9e9 tons CO2/year. Mt. St. Helens puts out [~4800 tons CO2/day](http://www.ees.nmt.edu/Geop/mevo/geochem/co2.html). That’s 1.7e6 tons/year. Mt. Etna releases about 15 times that amount. I didn’t find any data on the Mt. St. Helens explosion, but am rushed for time now. Anyone ? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-effects-of-pollution-vs-nature/113518/5 "2002-06-12T02:00:06Z")
[More to the heart of the question:](http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp4/question458.html) > [@](#): > > volcanism produces about 5X10^11 kg of CO2 per year; that production, along with oceanic and terrestrial biomass cycling maintained a carbon dioxide reservoir in the atmosphere of about 2.2X10^15 kg. Current fossil fuel and land use practices now introduce about a (net) 17.6X10^12 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere and has resulted in a progressively increasing atmospheric reservoir of 2.69X10^15 kg of CO2. Still no numbers on the Mount St. Helens eruption, but it does seem that volcanoes are a relatively minor souirce of carbon dioxide. ---
**Author:** ![keeper0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@keeper0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keeper0)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-effects-of-pollution-vs-nature/113518/6 "2002-06-12T14:44:10Z")
Nice link, **Squink** That really hit the nail on the head.