A team of researchers from the University of St Andrews has solved the mystery behind a massive volcanic eruption in 1831 that caused global cooling and widespread crop failures. The eruption, which occurred on the remote island of Simushir in the Kuril Islands, was previously unknown, sparking years of debate among scientists.
Using ice core records and detailed chemical analyses, the team discovered that the volcano responsible for the 1831 eruption was the Zavaritskii volcano. Led by Dr. Will Hutchison, the research team matched the ash reports with the ice core deposits, confirming the timing, magnitude, and explosive nature of the event.
The discovery sheds new light on the poorly studied Kuril Islands, which are home to numerous volcanoes. The finding highlights the challenges in predicting future large-magnitude eruptions and emphasizes the need for international coordination when such events occur.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/zavaritskii-volcano-eruption-simushir-famines-study-b2671908.html