The objective of the Volcano-plume Investigation Readiness and Gas-phase and Aerosol Sulfur (VIRGAS) field experiment is to understand how natural and human-caused emissions of sulfur species, for example from volcanoes and from fossil-fuel power sources, ultimately influence climate, air quality, and visibility. VIRGAS was a "mini-mission" to test a new standing capability for measuring SO2, other gases, and particles in the plumes from large volcanic eruptions.
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