1816: The Year Without a Summer

What this episode covers

In 1816, snow fell in June, crops failed across continents, and the sun glowed a ghostly blue. Known as The Year Without a Summer, this eerie global disaster was sparked by the eruption of Mount Tambora—one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded history. In this episode of Master of Disaster, exposure scientist Stephanie Einstein Tashiro unpacks how a single eruption in Indonesia sent shockwaves through the atmosphere, triggering famine, disease, mass migration, and even gothic literature. It’s a story of cascading consequences, surprising cultural impacts, and a chilling reminder of how deeply we are all tied to the planet’s most volatile forces.

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