Volcano

Laki eruption

8 June 1783 – February 1784 Laki fissure · Iceland

9,000Deaths

Not quantifiedDisplaced / homeless

Not quantifiedEstimated cost

About 20% of Iceland’s population, mostly during the famine that followed (the “Móðuharðindin”).

For eight months a 27 km fissure pours out about 14 km³ of basaltic lava and colossal amounts of sulphur dioxide and fluorine, which poison pastures and livestock.

Consequences

Human consequences

Widespread famine in Iceland; excess mortality is also recorded in England and France.

Environmental consequences

A sulphurous “dry fog” covers Europe in the summer of 1783. In Iceland about half the cattle and 80% of the sheep die.

Economic consequences

Iceland’s farming and herding economy is ruined for a generation.

Political consequences

Denmark considers evacuating Iceland. Some historians link the poor European harvests to the tensions that preceded the French Revolution.

Dry fog

Dry fog over Europe · summer 1783
Egypt · famine of 1784 (probable link)

Similar disasters

In the rankings : The deadliest volcanic eruptions No. 5

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