This story is fascinating; it's the story of the 1815-16 climate change caused by a volcano. An extinct volcano at Tambora (in Sumbawa, Indonesia) erupted on April 5, 1815, and continued for five days. It deposited over four feet of dust and ash and killed animals, plants, and people. In the ensuing months, another 38,000 people died of starvation.
However, this was just the beginning of the tragedy. In 1815, the war with Napoleon had finally ended, and European countries were decimated and their food stores depleted (with feeding the standing armies). The weather changed when dust, gas, and debris moved into the upper atmosphere (because of the volcano thousands of miles away). The winter of 1815-16 was milder, with bizarre snowfall.
However, the growing season staggered the population. After a volcanic winter, the Earth cooled and could not support spring or summer crops. The ensuing chapters discussed the climate changes on various continents and their effects on the populations of those lands. This was a fascinating read.
One of the last chapters discussed cultural changes after the volcano. Finally, the author asks if this volcanic event could happen again. Don't miss this book.
However, this was just the beginning of the tragedy. In 1815, the war with Napoleon had finally ended, and European countries were decimated and their food stores depleted (with feeding the standing armies). The weather changed when dust, gas, and debris moved into the upper atmosphere (because of the volcano thousands of miles away). The winter of 1815-16 was milder, with bizarre snowfall.
However, the growing season staggered the population. After a volcanic winter, the Earth cooled and could not support spring or summer crops. The ensuing chapters discussed the climate changes on various continents and their effects on the populations of those lands. This was a fascinating read.
One of the last chapters discussed cultural changes after the volcano. Finally, the author asks if this volcanic event could happen again. Don't miss this book.
