Scientists Identify Source of Massive 13th Century Volcano

Scientists say they have discovered the volcano responsible for a massive, 13th century eruption, also known as the "Pompeii of the Far East."

Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the multi-disciplinary team of researchers cite the source as the Samalas Volcano on Lombok Island in Indonesia.

According to their findings, the explosion occurred between May and October of 1257 and was twice as large as Tambora in 1815, which scientists previously attributed as the largest eruption in the past 3,700 years.

The Samalas event was so massive it immediately triggered a two-year disruption in global climate. In western Europe, for example, the winter following the eruption was especially warm, with medieval records citing little frost and blossoms as early as January, National Geographic reports. The following year, however, proved to be just the opposite, with cold weather and higher-than-average rainfall triggering a poor harvest and floods.

In fact, the researchers write in the study that a mass burial in London dating back to 1258 is likely tied "to the global impacts of the ... eruption," explaining that on "the local and regional scales, the socio-economic and environmental consequences of this cataclysmic event must have been dramatic."

As far as the region where the explosion took place, the researchers explain that "Significant parts of Lombok, Bali, and the western part of Sumbawa were likely left sterile and uninhabitable for generations."

This may be the reason the Javanese King Kertanegara did not face any type of resistance by local populations when invading Bali in 1284, the study explains.

Furthermore, the researchers speculate that Pamatan, the ancient capital of the Lombok kingdom still lies buried beneath the debris.

"Should it be discovered," the researchers conclude, "Pamatan might represent a 'Pompeii of the Far East,' and could provide important insights not only into Indonesian history but also into the vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience of past societies faced with volcanic hazards associated with large-magnitude explosive eruptions."