lakI

Laki refers to Lakagígar, a volcanic fissure in southern Iceland known for the Laki eruption of 1783–1784. The fissure runs in the Icelandic highlands and contains a chain of craters; the eruption formed a long line of craters along the fissure, including the central crater known as Laki.

The eruption began in June 1783 and continued into February 1784, producing extensive lava flows and releasing large quantities of volcanic gases, notably sulfur dioxide and hydrogen fluoride. The gas emissions caused widespread atmospheric pollution, acid rain, and damage to crops and livestock across Iceland. The resulting famine and hardship, collectively called Móðuharðindin or the Mist Hardships, had a substantial social and economic impact on Iceland.

Beyond Iceland, the dense gas plume and aerosols spread into the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to notable weather and climate effects in the following years. Historical records describe hazy skies, reduced sunlight, and cooler temperatures in parts of Europe and North America, as well as disrupted harvests in some regions. The Laki eruption is frequently cited in discussions of volcanic forcing of climate and the environmental consequences of large gas-rich eruptions.

Today Lakagígar is a protected natural site and part of Iceland’s volcanic heritage. The event has left a lasting mark on Icelandic history and is studied as a key example of how volcanic gas emissions, not just lava and ash, can influence climate and ecological systems. In Icelandic usage, Lakagígar literally means “Laki craters.”