Tambora, 200 years since the eruption that changed the world

Volcanoes are the natural phenomena that have greater destructive power than any other. The eruption of Tambora (Indonesia) in 1815, exactly 200 years ago, is an excellent example of the way in which these geological phenomena can cause problems not only at the local level but also on a global scale. Known as the biggest, most devastating eruption in recorded history, when Mt. Tambora erupted it released such a vast amount of gases into the atmosphere that it brought about a cooling of the entire planet, lowering the Earth’s temperature by an average of ~1°C, and causing 1816 to be remembered as the “Year without a Summer”.

Cycle: SCIENCE ON MONDAY: Earth sciences in our everyday lives

Organized by: Residència d’Investigadors, CSIC-Delegación en Cataluña, Institut de Ciències de la Terra - Jaume Almera