Researchers have finally solved a centuries-old mystery about a massive volcanic eruption in 1831 that caused global chaos.
Until now, no one knew which volcano was responsible for this event, which triggered unusual cold weather, widespread crop failures, and famine.
Now, thanks to modern science and teamwork, the culprit has been identified: the Zavaritskii volcano on Simushir Island in the remote Kuril Islands.
In 1831, a powerful eruption released huge amounts of sulfurous gases into the atmosphere. These gases reflected sunlight, causing the Earth’s temperature to drop by about 1°C.
This sudden cooling had disastrous effects, with severe weather conditions reported worldwide.
Even composer Felix Mendelssohn wrote about the terrible weather during his summer travels in the Alps, describing rain, cold temperatures, and snow on the hills as though it were winter.
Although scientists have known about this “mystery eruption” for years, the volcano responsible remained unidentified.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Will Hutchison from the University of St Andrews has now cracked the case. The discovery was published on December 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The team made their breakthrough by analyzing ice core samples. These samples, taken from polar regions, hold tiny volcanic ash particles from past eruptions.
Using advanced technology, the researchers matched the ash from the 1831 eruption with volcanic deposits from Zavaritskii volcano.
The ash fragments were incredibly small—about one-tenth the diameter of a human hair—but they provided a “perfect fingerprint match.”
“It was a eureka moment,” said Dr. Hutchison. “The numbers were identical, and we knew we had found the right volcano. We then studied records of the eruption’s size and timing to confirm our findings.”
Simushir Island, where Zavaritskii volcano is located, is part of the Kuril Islands—a region with a long history of volcanic activity. The islands are currently controlled by Russia but are also claimed by Japan. During the Cold War, the Soviets even used Simushir as a secret base for nuclear submarines, adding an intriguing historical twist.
Dr. Hutchison emphasized the importance of identifying volcanoes responsible for past eruptions. “Even though this volcano is in a remote location, its eruption had a global impact,” he explained. “Understanding these events helps us prepare for future eruptions, which could also disrupt climate and society.”
The study highlights the challenges of predicting when and where the next big eruption will happen. It also underscores the need for global cooperation to monitor volcanoes and respond effectively when major eruptions occur.
