The eruption of the Laki fissure in 1783, one of the most catastrophic events in Iceland's history, profoundly shaped the island's future. On June 8, a 25-kilometer-long fissure opened in southern Iceland, spewing basalt lava and gas over the next eight months. This volcanic event, also known as the Skaftáreldar ("Skaftá fires"), released an estimated 14 cubic kilometers of lava and 120 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. The eruption, although spectacular with lava fountains reaching up to 1,400 meters, was devastating in its aftermath.
The toxic gases released caused widespread environmental damage in Iceland. The "Laki haze" poisoned pastures, killing around 80% of the island’s sheep, and about half of its cattle and horses. The ensuing famine, compounded by fluoride poisoning in livestock, killed approximately 20-25% of Iceland's human population. Known locally as the Móðuharðindin, or "Mist Hardships," this disaster devastated the island’s economy and population, making it one of the deadliest eruptions in Iceland's history.
JĂłn SteingrĂmsson, a parish minister, gained renown for his "fire mass" sermon, delivered in July 1783. He prayed for protection as lava flows threatened the church farm at Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The lava unexpectedly stopped, sparing the settlement, a moment that became legendary in Icelandic history.
The effects of the Laki eruption were not confined to Iceland. The sulfur dioxide emissions caused a sulfuric haze that spread across Europe, leading to an unusually harsh winter and widespread crop failures. In Iceland, however, it marked one of the darkest periods in its history, shaping the island’s resilience and its relationship with the natural forces that have defined its landscape for centuries.