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The Eldgjá eruption: timing, long-range impacts and influence on the Christianisation of Iceland

Author

Listed:
  • Clive Oppenheimer

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Andy Orchard

    (University of Oxford)

  • Markus Stoffel

    (University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Timothy P. Newfield

    (Georgetown University)

  • Sébastien Guillet

    (University of Geneva)

  • Christophe Corona

    (Université Blaise Pascal)

  • Michael Sigl

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Nicola Cosmo

    (Institute for Advanced Study
    Princeton University)

  • Ulf Büntgen

    (University of Cambridge
    Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
    Global Change Research Centre and Masaryk University)

Abstract

The Eldgjá lava flood is considered Iceland’s largest volcanic eruption of the Common Era. While it is well established that it occurred after the Settlement of Iceland (circa 874 CE), the date of this great event has remained uncertain. This has hampered investigation of the eruption’s impacts, if any, on climate and society. Here, we use high-temporal resolution glaciochemical records from Greenland to show that the eruption began in spring 939 CE and continued, at least episodically, until at least autumn 940 CE. Contemporary chronicles identify the spread of a remarkable haze in 939 CE, and tree ring-based reconstructions reveal pronounced northern hemisphere summer cooling in 940 CE, consistent with the eruption’s high yield of sulphur to the atmosphere. Consecutive severe winters and privations may also be associated with climatic effects of the volcanic aerosol veil. Iceland’s formal conversion to Christianity dates to 999/1000 CE, within two generations or so of the Eldgjá eruption. The end of the pagan pantheon is foretold in Iceland’s renowned medieval poem, Vǫluspá (‘the prophecy of the seeress’). Several lines of the poem describe dramatic eruptive activity and attendant meteorological effects in an allusion to the fiery terminus of the pagan gods. We suggest that they draw on first-hand experiences of the Eldgjá eruption and that this retrospection of harrowing volcanic events in the poem was intentional, with the purpose of stimulating Iceland’s Christianisation over the latter half of the tenth century.

Suggested Citation

  • Clive Oppenheimer & Andy Orchard & Markus Stoffel & Timothy P. Newfield & Sébastien Guillet & Christophe Corona & Michael Sigl & Nicola Cosmo & Ulf Büntgen, 2018. "The Eldgjá eruption: timing, long-range impacts and influence on the Christianisation of Iceland," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 147(3), pages 369-381, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:147:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-018-2171-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-018-2171-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joseph G. Manning & Francis Ludlow & Alexander R. Stine & William R. Boos & Michael Sigl & Jennifer R. Marlon, 2017. "Volcanic suppression of Nile summer flooding triggers revolt and constrains interstate conflict in ancient Egypt," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. M. Sigl & M. Winstrup & J. R. McConnell & K. C. Welten & G. Plunkett & F. Ludlow & U. Büntgen & M. Caffee & N. Chellman & D. Dahl-Jensen & H. Fischer & S. Kipfstuhl & C. Kostick & O. J. Maselli & F. M, 2015. "Timing and climate forcing of volcanic eruptions for the past 2,500 years," Nature, Nature, vol. 523(7562), pages 543-549, July.
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