8 Largest Volcanic Eruptions in History: Nature's Fury

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Volcanic eruptions are among the most formidable natural events on Earth, capable of reshaping landscapes, altering climates, and leaving an indelible mark on history. This natural phenomenon is definitely not uncommon for a country like Indonesia, which has a lot of volcanoes.

Throughout the centuries, major volcanic eruptions have demonstrated nature's overwhelming power, with some of the biggest volcanic eruptions affecting entire continents and civilizations.

Cited from livescience.com, this article will explore the top 8 largest volcanic eruptions in history, highlighting the sheer scale and impact of these cataclysmic events:

1. Mount Tambora, Indonesia (1815)

The eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 stands as the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. Located on the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia, Tambora's explosion was so immense that it ejected approximately 160 cubic kilometers of material into the atmosphere.

This massive eruption caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816, as ash and sulfur dioxide particles reduced global temperatures, leading to widespread crop failures and famine across the Northern Hemisphere.

The eruption’s death toll was devastating, with an estimated 71,000 people perishing due to the eruption and its aftermath, cementing Tambora’s place in history as the biggest volcanic eruption.

2. Krakatoa, Indonesia (1883)

Another Indonesian giant, Krakatoa, erupted with unprecedented ferocity in 1883. This event obliterated most of the island and generated the loudest sound ever recorded in human history. 

The eruption expelled around 25 cubic kilometers of ash and rock, and the resultant tsunamis, with waves reaching up to 40 meters, devastated nearby coastlines, killing over 36,000 people. 

The eruption’s atmospheric effects were felt globally, with spectacular sunsets and a drop in temperatures, illustrating the far-reaching impact of major volcanic eruptions.

3. Novarupta, Alaska (1912)

The 1912 eruption of Novarupta in Alaska’s remote Katmai region is the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. This colossal event released approximately 30 cubic km of volcanic material, creating the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, named for the numerous fumaroles that formed in the aftermath.

The eruption's plume reached 32 km into the sky, and its effects were felt as far away as Africa. Despite its magnitude, the remote location of Novarupta spared human lives.

4. Mount Pinatubo, Philippines (1991)

Located in Luzon, Philippines, Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991. Its explosive force released more than 10 cubic kilometers of volcanic material, creating a cloud of ash that reached 35 kilometers into the atmosphere.

The eruption significantly impacted global climate, reducing temperatures by approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius for several years. The devastation in the Philippines was immense, with widespread ashfall, lahars, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

5. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, South Pacific (2022)

The very recent major volcanic eruption occurred in 2022. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, a submarine volcano in the South Pacific, erupted with extraordinary force on January 15, 2022.

The explosion, which measured a VEI 5.7, generated a massive plume of ash, steam, and gas into the atmosphere. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded that the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai blast injected 50 million tons of water vapor to the air.

The eruption was so powerful that it became one of the largest volcanic events of the 21st century. NASA even saw the energy generated from the blast equivalent to more than 100 Hiroshima bombs.

6. Mount Vesuvius, Italy (79 AD)

Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in 79 AD is perhaps the most famous volcanic eruption in history, primarily due to its catastrophic impact on the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

This explosive event buried both cities under meters of ash and pumice, preserving them in time and providing a detailed glimpse into ancient Roman life.

The eruption killed thousands and is a poignant example of how the biggest volcanic eruptions can simultaneously preserve and destroy, leaving a legacy that endures for millennia.

7. Thera, Greece (1600 BC)

The eruption of Thera, now known as Santorini, happened in 1610 BC. This massive eruption devastated the Minoan civilization on Crete.

The eruption expelled vast amounts of ash and pumice, creating a caldera that shaped the island’s current crescent form. Thera’s eruption significantly altered the regional climate and caused tsunamis that affected distant shores.

8. The Eruption of Yellowstone (640,000 years ago)

Yellowstone National Park sits atop one of the most active and powerful volcanic systems on Earth. While it hasn’t erupted in recorded history, Yellowstone has a violent past marked by three colossal eruptions occurring 2.1 million, 1.2 million, and 640,000 years ago.

These supervolcanic eruptions were the one responsible for forming what is now called the Yellowstone Caldera. The National Park Service actually informs that the likelihood of another supervolcanic event at Yellowstone is not zero, despite extremely low.

Regardless, you can witness a number of thermal pools, mud pots, and geysers as you step into this place.

M. FRIA FACHRAMA S.

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