Tambora erupted in April of 1815, and was considered the largest historic volcanic eruption. The eruption of Tambora displaced in excess of 100 times more ash than when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980.
Approximately 92,000 people perished as a result of the Tambora eruption. About 82,000 of the victims died as an indirect result of the eruption from disease, hunger and starvation. In addition, there were approximately 10,000 fatalities as a direct result of the eruption because of the bomb-force impact.
Although the eruption of Tambora was a significant historic event, its occurrence has been neglected in volcanic activity studies. Because 1816 was noted to be unusually cold, the year was dubbed the "Year without a Summer."
