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A Year Of Wonders As extreme weather wreaks havoc around the globe we look at a natural disaster more than 200 hundred years ago that had far-reaching effects. This week, how the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Laki awed, terrified and disrupted millions around the world and changed the course of history.
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A Year Of Wonders

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A Year Of Wonders

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A Year Of Wonders

A Year Of Wonders

Listen · 41:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/781181608/781490569" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
  • The Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupts, April 16, 2010 in Fimmvorduhals, Iceland. The resulting volcanic ash in the atmosphere over parts of Europe caused major air traffic disruptions for several days.
    The Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupts, April 16, 2010 in Fimmvorduhals, Iceland. The resulting volcanic ash in the atmosphere over parts of Europe caused major air traffic disruptions for several days.
    Signy Asta Gudmundsdottir/NordicPhotos/Getty Images
  • Looking down on Laki, a massive volcanic field in the Vatnajoekull National Park, Iceland. The Laki volcanic field is one of the largest in the world.
    Looking down on Laki, a massive volcanic field in the Vatnajoekull National Park, Iceland. The Laki volcanic field is one of the largest in the world.
    Ryan Pyle/Corbis via Getty Images
  • A piece of hardened lava on the Laki site.
    A piece of hardened lava on the Laki site.
    Gerald MORAND-GRAHAME/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

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As extreme weather wreaks havoc around the globe we look at a natural disaster more than 200 hundred years ago that had far-reaching effects. This week, how the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Laki awed, terrified and disrupted millions around the world and changed the course of history.

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