G6 – The Little Ice Age 900-1000L-03

The dust ejected during the eruption made its way around the world. The dust was carried by global wind patterns. Scientists have evidence to suggest the Tambora eruption is what caused The Year without a Summer. In that year, frost and snow were reported during the summer months in New England and Northern Europe. This eruption could not have come at a worse time. Earth’s temperatures were just starting to recover from the Little Ice Age. It could not have been a worse time as the Tambora volcano eruption made matters worse. Starvation was already rampant across Europe due to agricultural distress from cooler temperatures. The further devastation brought on by the eruption of Tambora only intensified an existing problem. Could eruptions similar to Tambaro have been the cause of the Little Ice Age?

Scientists have found evidence of a 50-year period when the atmosphere contained large amounts of sulfur. Scientists bored, or drilled, for ice cores into old frozen ice looking for clues about past events. Close analysis of the ice cores indicates 4 separate volcanic episodes during this 50-year time span. These volcanic episodes could have been the cause of climate change in two different ways. First, when a volcano erupts, the ash can reach high into Earth’s atmosphere. Earth’s wind patterns can then spread the dust around the globe. The airborne ash can shield Earth from the Sun’s solar radiation. This shielding effect can lead to a worldwide cooling event. These changes in Earth’s climate can last up to two years after the event. Secondly, while the ash from volcanic eruptions can block sunlight, other ejected materials can reflect sunlight. The sulfur released during a volcanic eruption combines with oxygen in the atmosphere. This combination of atoms forms a new molecule: sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide in the air can act like mirrors. They can actually reflect solar radiation back into space. This reflection of solar radiation away from Earth’s surface can cause a huge amount of cooling to Earth.

Eight eruptions occurred between the years 1257 and 1284. Four of these eruptions were massive. These eruptions may have been the trigger that started the global cooling trend. Then in 1452–53 Mount Kuwae in Vanautu erupted. Vanuatu is a tiny island nation just east of Australia. This eruption may have been the knock-out blow causing the long period of cooling. During this time period, a series of smaller eruptions also occurred. The changes in the atmosphere caused by these eruptions also impacted many of Earth’s circulation systems.

As the Earth cooled, the amount of sea ice would have increased. This change would in turn cause ocean temperatures to decrease. This factor may have helped to prolong the cooling period. While volcanic activity may have been the cause of the Little Ice Age, a global cooling event could possibly have already been imminent.