Did you know that almost 200 years ago, the Sun appeared to change color, causing two years of unusually cool weather worldwide? Scientists have long been puzzled by this event, known as the “mystery eruption,” which took place between 1831 and 1833 and cooled the Earth by about 1°C.
During this time, the German composer Felix Mendelssohn noted the strange weather while traveling through the Alps, describing it as desolate with deep snow on the hills. Reports also came in from around the globe, including China, Europe, the US, and the Caribbean, of the Sun appearing blue, purple, and green – a phenomenon attributed to volcanic dust and gases scattering sunlight in a unique way.
While there was speculation that the eruption came from volcanoes in the Philippines or near Sicily, new research has identified the Zavaritskii caldera on the uninhabited island of Simushir in the Russian Far East as the source. Scientists at the University of St Andrews in Scotland used geochemical analysis of ice-core samples to match the ash deposits to the eruption in 1831.
This discovery highlights the significant impact volcanic eruptions can have on our climate. They can release gases and particulates into the atmosphere, leading to short-term cooling effects and potentially contributing to long-term warming. For example, the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines caused global temperatures to drop by 0.5°C for several years.
Dr. Will Hutchison, the lead study author, emphasized the importance of preparing for future large-scale eruptions and coordinating an international response. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sheds light on the power of volcanoes and their potential to influence life on Earth.
