[Rockhounds] Scientists finally solve mystery of giant volcano that almost wiped out the world

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

A team of researchers have helped solve the mystery over a volcanic eruption
<https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/eruption> that caused famines and crop
failures around the world, almost 200 years ago.

Scientists <https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/scientists> from the
University of St Andrews say they have discovered the exact volcano
<https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/volcano> that erupted in 1831, leading
to a global cooling of approximately 1C.

The team discovered it was the Zavaritskii volcano on the remote,
uninhabited island <https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/island> of
Simushir, which is part of the Kuril Islands – a disputed territory between
Russia and Japan.

Currently controlled by Russia, the island operates as a strategic military
outpost.

During the Cold War, the Soviets used Simushir as a secret nuclear
submarine base, docking vessels in a flooded volcanic crater.

Scientists also discovered the eruption occurred sometime during spring or
summer.

Scientists were previously unsure as to which volcano had erupted, and it
was debated in the science community for many years.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/zavaritskii-volcano-eruption-simushir-famines-study-b2671908.html