This piece depicts the people in chaos, most likely from famine caused by this eruption.
The year 536 AD is widely regarded as one of the worst, if not the worst year in human history due to the cataclysmic chain of events it set off, marking a period of profound environmental and societal upheaval. This year ushered in what’s now often considered the true beginning of the "Dark Ages" in Europe, a time marked by famine, disease, and economic collapse across vast regions. What makes 536 so infamous is that it wasn't just any calamity—it was a year quite literally shrouded in darkness.
In early 536, a massive volcanic eruption hurled more than 100 megatons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. This volcanic haze effectively obscured the sun, blocking an estimated 66% of sunlight across much of the globe for over 18 months. In place of sunlight, a strange, dim light filtered down from the sky, creating a perpetual, eerie twilight that cast a pall over entire continents. Temperatures plummeted, causing what is referred to as a "volcanic winter." Historical sources from across the world, including the Mediterranean, China, and the Middle East, described failed harvests, cold summers, and starvation on an unprecedented scale. Tree rings from the period confirm the drastic cooling, with 536 marking one of the coldest years in the last 2,000 years.
This image depicts a depressing setting; dark gloomy skies with no sunlight, possibly showcasing how 536 looked like back then.
Climatic Effects
The climatic effects of this eruption were devastating, especially in the northern hemisphere. Crops withered in the fields; food supplies dwindled, and famine became rampant across Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. The harsh conditions from this volcanic winter sparked widespread economic decline and social unrest. Chroniclers of the time, like the Byzantine historian Procopius, recorded how the sun appeared dim, as if it was constantly in eclipse, and did not shine with its usual brightness. These chilling accounts provide glimpses of the unimaginable hardship people faced during that time.
Another One
But the horror didn’t end in 536. In 540 AD, another colossal volcanic eruption compounded the already existing problems. This second eruption, possibly occurring at or near the site of modern-day Krakatoa in Indonesia, was even more devastating than the first. Its effects layered over the prior volcanic winter, prolonging the darkness and cold, and ensuring that food production continued to struggle for years. This unrelenting crisis exacerbated poverty and disease, including outbreaks of bubonic plague, further crippling societies already on the edge of collapse.
This image depicts the site of Krakatoa in the present day. Its interesting structure could suggest a caldera collapse which may have happened in the year 540.
Theories
Despite centuries of analysis, geologists have yet to pinpoint the exact origin of the first 536 eruption. While there’s relatively good evidence linking the later 540 eruption to Krakatoa, the original eruption remains mysterious. Current research suggests that the source might be in the high northern latitudes, possibly in Iceland. Iceland's volcanic systems, buried under thick glacial sheets, could have produced the eruption powerful enough to impact Europe and Asia so significantly. This theory would explain the intensity of the environmental effects in Europe, particularly in areas closer to the Arctic Circle. Iceland’s hidden volcanoes have erupted with similar ferocity in recorded history; the Laki eruption of 1783, for example, devastated the climate and agriculture across Europe for years.
Iceland.
Alternative theories have also been proposed, including eruptions in North America or Siberia, but these are less favored due to the geographic distribution of climate records and sulfur deposits in ice cores. Modern technology and research have made it possible to trace sulfur deposits in ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, helping scientists better understand the spread and scale of the volcanic plume. However, the precise volcano responsible for casting humanity into this period of darkness is still an open question in geological science.
The year 536 and its aftermath stand as stark reminders of how profoundly natural events can affect civilization. It highlights the interconnectedness of climate and society and serves as a testament to the resilience and fragility of human life. Today, scientists continue to study the ice cores, tree rings, and other geological evidence to finally identify the culprit behind the darkness of 536—a year that literally darkened the skies and set humanity on a path through one of the most challenging periods in recorded history.
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