Huaynaputina Volcano, Peru

Huaynaputina volcano that became known worldwide due to violent eruptions in the early 17th century, is in Peru. The eruption of Huaynaputina is officially considered the strongest in the history of South America. Its effects spread to more than 100 km from the epicenter of volcanic explosions. The main consequence of the eruption became torrents that spread over 120 km and reached the Pacific Ocean.

It is obvious that such a strong eruption caused a climate change. The summer of 1600 all over the world was one of the coldest in the last 500 years. The height of Huaynaputina volcano is 4 850 meters. It is located on the edge of a deep canyon. According to historical records, the eruption of 1600 was a real surprise to local residents. Before that, the volcano didn’t show any signs of activity. During the eruption, Moquegua and Arequipa cities were almost destroyed. They were restored only a hundred years later.

Despite the fact that huge human losses were avoided at the time of the eruption, the effects of the disaster were incredible for the whole world. Mudslides have destroyed only a few small villages and a couple of cities. However, the volcanic winter that began after the eruption took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Many researchers have linked the terrible famine in Russia in 1601 to the climate change. That year, due to the crop failure and famine, more than 120 000 people died in Russia. Next - Santa Maria Volcano