Reports say it belched smoke and ash and rocks 12 miles into the sky.[/QUOTE]
Actually yes it appears they can.
It was thought that a volvanic eruption was the most likely reason for the extreme cold of 1779-80 winter in the North Atlantic, and the 'dark day' in April of 1780.
Krackatowa (sp?) eruption was more certainly linked to at least few years, if not a few decades of colder weather globally, and therefore a small shift colder.
