When volcanoes erupt, they release Sulfur Dioxide ($SO_2$). In the stratosphere, this gas combines with water to form sulfuric acid aerosols. These aerosols act like tiny mirrors, reflecting incoming solar radiation back into space. This reduction in solar energy reaching the Earth’s surface leads to a temporary but significant cooling of the global climate. ANSWER: (B) Sulfur Dioxide
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While Carbon Dioxide (CO2) causes long-term warming, Sulfur Dioxide is the primary driver of volcanic global cooling. Large eruptions inject SO2 high into the stratosphere, where it remains for several years. These particles create a “haze layer” that increases the Earth’s albedo (reflectivity). A famous historical example is the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, which caused the “Year Without a Summer” in 1816. Understanding this process is vital for climate geography, as it demonstrates how localized geological events in mountain regions can have profound, short-term impacts on the global atmospheric temperature.