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How did the 1783 Laki eruption influence climate conditions?

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Line graph showing estimated temperature variations from 1000 to 2000 CE for the Northern Hemisphere and central England, with three lines representing different data sources. The chart highlights the medieval warm period around 1100-1300 and the Little Ice Age from about 1500 to 1850, followed by a sharp temperature rise in the late 20th century. Temperature is shown as deviations from the 1961-1990 average. — Little Ice Age Estimates of temperature variations for the Northern Hemisphere and central England from 1000 to 2000 ce.

The 1783 eruption of the Laki fissure in Iceland significantly influenced climate conditions during the Little Ice Age. As one of the most significant volcanic eruptions in historical times, it released enormous quantities of sulfur gases and volcanic ash into the stratosphere.123

These aerosols reflected incoming solar radiation, which reduced surface heating and contributed to lower average temperatures. The eruption created a conspicuous haze that spread across continental Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Scientists link this haze to the severity of the winter of 1783–84 in the Northern Hemisphere. Furthermore, the release of sulfurous gases had devastating local impacts, stunting crops and grasses in Iceland and leading to the Haze Famine, which caused significant loss of life. Some researchers also hypothesize that such volcanic activity may have influenced atmospheric circulation patterns, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, potentially extending cooler conditions in northern Europe.132