Do Volcanoes Produce More Greenhouse Gases Than Fossil Fuels?

Greenhouse gas emissions from volcanoes make up less than one percent of those generated by human activities. Large emitters contribute the majority of emissions to the global volcanic gas flux, with gas studies at volcanoes worldwide helping volcanologists calculate a global volcanic CO2 budget. However, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas blamed for climate change, and fossil fuel emissions rose again in 2023, reaching record levels. The continued rise in emissions from burning fossil fuels is the strongest evidence for whether human emissions or volcanoes have a stronger influence on climate.

Volcanic eruptions are often discussed in the context of climate change because they release CO2 and other gases into our atmosphere. However, the impact of human activities on the carbon cycle far exceeds that of all. Increasing population and increased use of fossil fuels result in a sharp rise in greenhouse gases, especially CO2, and increased temperatures. Volcanoes also give off greenhouse gases, with the most significant emissions occurring in massive eruptions.

Volcanic gases like sulfur dioxide can cause global cooling, while volcanic carbon dioxide has the potential to promote global warming. Human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which has changed the earth’s climate. Scientists update estimates of Earth’s immense interior carbon reservoirs and how much carbon Deep Earth naturally swallows and exhales.