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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1999; v. 161; p. 161-171;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.161.01.11
© 1999 Geological Society of London

Late Quaternary eruptions in Iceland

Regional warming of the lower atmosphere in the wake of volcanic eruptions: the role of the Laki fissure eruption in the hot summer of 1783

John Grattan1 & Jon Sadler2

1 The University of Wales, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, UK
2 The University of Birmingham, School of Geography, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

A suggestion is made that the gases emitted in the Laki fissure eruption in the summer of 1783 contributed to the high surface-air temperatures recorded in many parts of Europe. This paper presents European documentary and instrumental evidence which suggests that, during the initial stages of the eruption of the Laki fissure in June and July 1783, intense localized warming of the lower atmosphere occurred in many parts of Europe. This phenomenon is examined in detail and a hypothesis advanced that, under specifically defined conditions, volcanic gases may lead to warming of the lower atmosphere.