Haze Famine

The Haze Famine was a devastating period in Icelandic history caused by the Laki volcanic eruption in 1783. This eruption released enormous quantities of volcanic gases, creating a widespread haze across Europe and beyond. In Iceland, these gases poisoned crops and killed livestock, leading to a severe famine. This event resulted in the deaths of approximately one-fifth of Iceland's population. The famine significantly impacted Iceland's economy and society, which was already under foreign rule and experiencing economic decline due to factors like deforestation and soil erosion.123