volcanic dust Dust, ash, or other particulate matter commonly suspended in the atmosphere after volcanic eruptions. After explosive eruptions the dust may be thrown to heights of 20–30 km or more. The fall-out times of dust particles are quite short, a matter of days or weeks, depending on altitude and precipitation. Volcanogenic aerosols, usually sulphates, may linger for months, spreading as a long-lived veil in the stratosphere over much of the Earth.

volcanic dust Dust, ash, or other particulate matter that is commonly suspended in the atmosphere after volcanic eruptions. After explosive eruptions the dust may be thrown to heights of 20–30 km or more. The fall-out times of dust particles are quite short, a matter of days or weeks, depending on altitude and precipitation. Volcanogenic aerosols, usually sulphates, may linger for months, spreading as a long-lived veil in the stratosphere over much of the Earth.