Unveiling the Overlooked Eruption: How It Cooled Our Planet and Gave the Sun a Mysterious Green Hue

In 1831, a powerful eruption shook the Kuril Islands. The volcano, known as Zavaritzki, released ash high into the atmosphere, cooling the Earth and causing the Sun to appear green.

For nearly two hundred years, this eruption was a mystery, hidden under ice and time. But recent research has linked this obscure event to a significant shift in the planet’s climate.

Located on Simushir Island, Zavaritzki is a caldera volcano that many overlooked in historical accounts of major eruptions. Scientists had long suspected that this eruption caused sudden global temperature drops and odd weather patterns. However, identifying this specific eruption had been a challenge.

The key breakthrough came from William Hutchison, a volcanologist at the University of St. Andrews. He studied ice core samples from Antarctica and Greenland and found traces of sulfur-rich particles matching the volcanic material from Zavaritzki.

Records from 1831 tell of strange changes in the sky, with accounts describing a greenish Sun. This unusual color was likely due to sulfur aerosols in the atmosphere, which scattered sunlight in a unique way.

In addition to odd skies, people around the world also experienced unexplained cooling. Diaries and weather reports from Europe at that time noted unseasonable storms, early frosts, and poor harvests. This eruption’s effects echoed other well-known volcanic events, such as the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, which led to “The Year Without a Summer” in 1816.

Scientists cracked the case by examining geochemical clues. The volcanic ash found in ice cores had low potassium levels, helping rule out more famous volcanoes in Iceland and Alaska. This prompted researchers to look into lesser-known locations, including the Kuril Islands.

When they compared the mineral make-up of the ice core samples with fresh rock from the slopes of Zavaritzki, they found a match. This confirmed that the eruption had indeed left its mark, impacting weather patterns globally.

Zavaritzki sits within a volcanic complex with cinder cones, which are formed by explosive eruptions. This suggests that the area has a history of eruptions, indicating it could be a risk for future climate disturbances.

Volcanoes in high-latitude areas like Zavaritzki can be particularly dangerous. When they erupt, they can send sulfur aerosols into the upper atmosphere, where they can linger for months or even years. A notable example is the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which resulted in a temporary drop in global temperatures by 0.5°C (0.9°F).

Today, even with better volcano monitoring, many remote volcanoes go unnoticed. An eruption from an overlooked volcano could have severe effects on climate, agriculture, and economies worldwide.

Scientists stress the importance of improved monitoring systems, especially in remote volcanic regions. Expanding surveillance and utilizing satellite imagery could help predict eruptions, protecting our planet’s fragile balance.