An Overlooked Eruption May Have Sparked the Black Death
6 days ago
- #Black Death
- #Historical Pandemics
- #Climate Impact
- The Black Death may have been worsened by a volcanic eruption in 1345, causing climate instability and crop failures.
- Italian states imported grain from the Black Sea region, possibly introducing plague-infected fleas to Europe.
- Tree-ring and ice core data suggest a significant eruption in 1345 affected climate patterns, leading to heavy rainfalls.
- Historians previously thought the plague was spread by sailors, but new evidence points to earlier circulation in Asia.
- The study highlights the complex interactions between climate, disease, and human activity in historical pandemics.
- Understanding past pandemics like the Black Death remains crucial for addressing modern disease threats.