The Laki volcanic fissure in southern Iceland erupted over an eight-month period from 8 June 1783 to February 1784, spewing lava and poisonous gases that devastated the island’s agriculture, killing much of the livestock. It is estimated that perhapsa quarter of Iceland’s population died through the ensuing famine. Across the Atlantic, Benjamin Franklin wrote of “a constant fog over all Europe, and a great part of North America”. The disruption to weather patterns meant the ensuing winter was unusually harsh, with consequent spring flooding claiming more lives. In America the Mississippi reportedly froze at New Orleans. The eruption is now thought to have disrupted the Asian monsoon cycle, prompting famine … Continue reading Greg Neale