Iceland is home to 130 volcanoes and as of today, 30 of them are active.  While the country has experienced 13 eruptions since it was settled in AD 874, none has been as devastating as the Laki eruption that started in 1783 and lasted for 8 months! During this episode of the All Things Iceland podcast, you will learn about the effects this massive eruption had on Iceland and other parts of the world.

Where the Laki Volcano is Located

If we are being technical, the mountain Laki did not erupt. Instead, fissures opened up on each side of it after groundwater interacted with rising basalt magma. The fissure is called Lakagígar, part of the volcanic system that centers on Grímsvötn volcano. For the sake of simplicity, I will say Laki instead of Lakagígar and eruption when referring to the fissure releasing gas and lava.

For starters, I think it would be helpful to give you an idea of where the eruption took place. This volcanic fissure lies along the south of Iceland near to the magnificent Eldgjá. This word directly translates to the Canyon of Fire. Kirkjubæjarklaustur,  a small village that most people have probably fumbled over trying to pronounce, is very close to Eldgjá.

Laki's Devastating Effect on Iceland

From June 8th, 1783 until February 7th, 1784, the Laki fissure and Grímsvötn volcano poured out toxins. An estimated 42 billion tons of basalt lava, as well as poisonous hydrofluoric acid and sulfur dioxide were released into the soil and air. The lava flow destroyed 20 villages.  The soil contamination led to the death of over 80% of sheep, 50% of cattle and 50% of horses in Iceland. The 8 million tons of hydrogen fluoride that was released caused dental and skeletal fluorosis in the animals. Most of the crops were wiped out as well. The loss of crops and livestock resulted in a famine that killed about 25% of the Icelandic population.

The quote below is an excerpt from the book, Fires of the Earth: the Laki eruption, 1783–1784.  It gives a very vivid depiction of what happened to the livestock and villages during this eruption.

“This past week, and the two prior to it, more poison fell from the sky than words can describe: ash, volcanic hairs, rain full of sulfur and saltpeter, all of it mixed with sand. The snouts, nostrils, and feet of livestock grazing or walking on the grass turned bright yellow and raw. All water went tepid and light blue in color and gravel slides turned gray. All the earth's plants burned, withered and turned gray, one after another, as the fire increased and neared the settlements.[13]”

Surprising Effects in Asia & Africa

The effects in Iceland were no doubt devastating, but it was not the only place the suffered.