Laki Eruption
Laki Eruption
On June 8, 1783, an eruption started that was to produce one of the biggest lava streams on Earth in historical times.
The eruption lasted until February 1784 and by that time a 25km long eruptive fissure had opened with over 100 craters. During the catastrophe eruption, toxic ash spread over most of the land and a volcanic mist poisoned the air.
This ruined pastures and around 75% of the livestock died. In the famine that followed 20% of the population was lost. The fine toxic ash drifted over the northern hemisphere and had a considerable impact on the climate.
On June 24th, 1783 the haze was at its densest all over Europe. By the beginning of July, it had spread to Russia, Siberia and China. At its peak, it covered about a quarter of the earth's surface.