On 8 June 1783, a 25 km (15.

5 mi) long fissure of at least 130 vents opened with

phreatomagmatic explosions because of the groundwater interacting with the rising
basalt magma. Over a few days the eruptions became less explosive, Strombolian, and
later Hawaiian in character, with high rates of lava effusion. This event is rated
as 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index,[5] but the eight-month emission of sulfuric
aerosols resulted in one of the most important climatic and socially significant
natural events of the last millennium.[6][7]

The eruption, also known as the Skaftáreldar ([ˈskaftˌauːrˌɛltar̥], "Skaftá fires")

or Síðueldur produced an estimated 14 km3 (3.4 cu mi) of basalt lava, and the total
volume of tephra emitted was 0.91 km3 (0.2 cu mi).[8] Lava fountains were estimated
to have reached heights of 800 to 1,400 m (2,600 to 4,600 ft). The gases were
carried by the convective eruption column to altitudes of about 15 km (10 mi).[9]

The eruption continued until 7 February 1784, but most of the lava was ejected in
the first five months. One study states that the event "occurred as ten pulses of
activity, each starting with a short-lived explosive phase followed by a long-lived
period of fire-fountaining".[10] Grímsvötn volcano, from which the Laki fissure
extends, was also erupting at the time, from 1783 until 1785. The outpouring of
gases, including an estimated 8 million tons of fluorine and an estimated 120
million tons of sulfur dioxide, gave rise to what has since become known as the
"Laki haze" across Europe.[9]

Consequences in Iceland
The consequences for Iceland, known as the Móðuharðindin [ˈmouːðʏˌharðɪntɪn] (Mist
hardships), were disastrous.[11] An estimated 20–25% of the population died in the
famine after the fissure eruptions ensued. (Some sources specify a death toll of
9,000 people.)[12] Approximately 80% of sheep, 50% of cattle and 50% of horses died
because of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis from the 8 million tons of
fluorine that were released.[13][14] The livestock deaths were primarily caused by
eating the contaminated grass; the subsequent famine claimed many of the human
lives that were lost.[12]

The parish priest and dean of Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla, Jón Steingrímsson (1728–

1791), grew famous because of the eldmessa ("fire sermon") that he delivered on 20
July 1783. The people of the small settlement of Kirkjubæjarklaustur were
worshipping while the village was endangered by a lava stream, which ceased to flow
not far from town, with the townsfolk still in church.

This past week, and the two prior to it, more poison fell from the sky than words
can describe: ash, volcanic hairs, rain full of sulfur and saltpeter, all of it
mixed with sand. The snouts, nostrils, and feet of livestock grazing or walking on
the grass turned bright yellow and raw. All water went tepid and light blue in
color and gravel slides turned grey. All the earth's plants burned, withered and
turned grey, one after another, as the fire increased and neared the settlements.
[15]

Center of the Laki Fissure

Consequences in monsoon regions
There is evidence that the Laki eruption weakened African and Indian monsoon
circulations, leading to between 1 and 3 millimetres (0.04 and 0.12 in) less daily
precipitation than normal over the Sahel of Africa, resulting in, among other
effects, low flow in the River Nile.[16] The resulting famine that afflicted Egypt
in 1784 cost it roughly one-sixth of its population.[16][17] The eruption was also
found to have affected the southern Arabian Peninsula and India.[17]

Consequences in East Asia

In Japan the Great Tenmei famine that was already underway was undoubtedly worsened
and prolonged.