News•Apr 14, 2026
A Volcanic Eruption so Big, It Killed 20% of All People Living in Iceland
The 1783 Laki eruption in Iceland unleashed an unprecedented volume of basaltic lava and massive sulfur dioxide emissions, creating a toxic haze that spread across Europe, North Africa and India. The resulting climate shock triggered severe crop failures, leading to famine that killed roughly 20% of Iceland’s population. The event also induced a temporary cooling of European winters, disrupting agricultural markets and trade. Modern scientists view Laki as a benchmark for studying volcanic forcing on global climate systems.
