laki

Can volcanic eruptions devastate entire continents – with poisonous gas for example?

Summary:  The recent eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland has prompted increasingly fevered discussion about the danger of a future eruption — perhaps by Eyjafjallajokull’s sister, Katla.  Might an eruption expel volcanic gases that poison much of Europe?  Just like Laki did in 1783-84.   Or not.  The stories have grown as they circulate around the Internet, …

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More about shockwaves of the volcanic kind

Although we are obsessed with a few possible shockwaves, there are many others to which we remain oblivious.  We put disproportionate resources into the few, in effect magnifying the danger from the others.  We have been warned about the others, but prefer to remain blind.  Here’s one example: “Atmospheric and environmental effects of the 1783–1784 Laki eruption: A …

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