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An eruption can propel ash, chemicals (primarily sulfur dioxide and sulfur-rich gases), and other particles into the stratosphere. In this process, aerosols form as water combines with sulfur dioxide. These aerosols are then distributed globally by wind currents, reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the troposphere and causing cooling in this lower atmospheric layer. The extent of this effect depends on the eruption's intensity and can lead to short-term (days to months) or long-term (years to centuries) climate changes. While some impacts can be beneficial, such as temporary cooling of the Earth, negative effects may also arise, including prolonged droughts and widespread crop failure because of reduced sunlight.
