Volcanic Eruptions Linked to Origins of Black Death: New Tree Ring Research Reveals Climate Connection

Dec 09, 2025 04:42 pm CST

New research analyzing tree rings reveals that previously unknown volcanic eruptions in 1345 created climate conditions that led to failed harvests and famine in medieval Europe, triggering a chain of events that brought the Black Death pandemic to the continent through trade ships carrying infected rats from Central Asia, killing up to 60% of Europe's population.