Mount Tambora in 1815: A Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia and Its Aftermath

The volcano Tambora on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa made history in April 1815. Its eruption at that time was a catastrophe without equal in recorded history. Large parts of the Indonesian archipelago were plunged into darkness for three days as a consequence of the vast quantities of ash released by the eruption. The sounds of explosions accompanying the eruption were audible as far away as Sumatra, and in many places were mistaken for cannon reports. In Makasar and Jogyakarta troops even prepared to march into battle,2 and it only became clear from the ash showers pouring down a few days later that what had taken place was not a military action but a volcanic eruption. The consequences of