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

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