Eruption column

An eruption column is a cloud of hot volcanic ash suspended in volcanic gas emitted during an explosive volcanic eruption. The ash forms a column that may rise many kilometres into the air above the vent of the volcano. In the most explosive eruptions, the eruption column may rise over 40 km, penetrating the stratosphere. Stratospheric injection of aerosols by volcanoes is a major cause of short-term climate change.