1465 mystery eruption

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The 1465 mystery eruption was a large volcanic eruption in the South Pacific identified from distant ice core records and historical accounts of atmospheric events around 1465.[1] The exact location of the eruption is uncertain, but is likely the submerged caldera of Kuwae in the Coral Sea. The eruption is believed to have been VEI-7 and possibly even larger than Mount Tambora's 1815 eruption.[2]

The caldera of Mt Tambora in Sumbawa, Indonesia.

Ice core records[]

Ice cores taken from both the Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets contain large amounts of sulfur, indicating that the 1465 mystery eruption was a global event, lasting up to 7 years. These volcanic particles were distributed via the large aerosol cloud produced by the eruption.

Historical records[]

Historical records, largely from Europe and Eastern Asia, report multiple years after 1465 with anomalous weather patterns. Smog and haze were seen in the sky and multiple records describe the sun as being blue in color and volcanic ash raining from the sky.[2] There were severe increases in precipitation and decreases in temperature. These weather and climate changes would be the result of a large aerosol cloud produced by a volcanic eruption spreading across the earth; however, medieval records of atmospheric phenomena are not always accurate.[2]

Climate implications[]

The weather patterns caused by this eruption had an impact on the life of people globally. Freezing temperatures and excessive rainfall led to famine and low quality crops. The number of people who starved to death increased over these years, and the decreased quality of wine during the time period was noted in historical records. Freezing temperatures and flooding also led to death and property damage. These factors put pressure on medieval governments and negatively impacted military efforts.[2]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Gao, Chaochao; Robock, Alan; Self, Stephen; Witter, Jeffrey B.; Steffenson, J. P.; Clausen, Henrik Brink; Siggaard‐Andersen, Marie-Louise; Johnsen, Sigfus; Mayewski, Paul A.; Ammann, Caspar (2006). "The 1452 or 1453 A.D. Kuwae eruption signal derived from multiple ice core records: Greatest volcanic sulfate event of the past 700 years". Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 111 (D12). Bibcode:2006JGRD..11112107G. doi:10.1029/2005JD006710. ISSN 2156-2202.
  2. ^ a b c d Bauch, Martin (2017), The Day the Sun Turned Blue: A Volcanic Eruption in the Early 1460s and Its Possible Climatic Impact—A Natural Disaster Perceived Globally in the Late Middle Ages?, Transcultural Research – Heidelberg Studies on Asia and Europe in a Global Context, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 107–138, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-49163-9_6, ISBN 978-3-319-49162-2
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