536 AD volcanic eruption caused Fimbulwinter, inspiring Ragnarok myth. In 536 CE, a massive volcanic eruption (possibly in Iceland) dimmed the sun for 18 months The sun gave off cold, lifeless light like the moon through ash Chinese chronicles recorded snow in summer, Ireland experienced famine
In 536 CE, a massive volcanic eruption dimmed the sun for 18 months. Chinese chronicles recorded snow in summer. Historians call it 'the worst year to be alive.' Norse Fimbulwinter myth—three winters with no summers—may preserve cultural memory of this real volcanic disaster
Key Facts
- In 536 CE, a massive volcanic eruption (possibly in Iceland) dimmed the sun for 18 months
- The sun gave off cold, lifeless light like the moon through ash
- Chinese chronicles recorded snow in summer, Ireland experienced famine
- Tree ring analysis shows drastically reduced growth in 536 and 540 CE in Denmark
- By 541 CE, the plague of Justinian emerged, killing millions
- Norse texts describe Fimbulwinter: three winters in a row with no summers
- Historians call 536 'the worst year to be alive'
- Gold was buried as ritual offerings in Sweden and Denmark during these years
- In 940 CE, the Eldgjá volcano eruption occurred, possibly inspiring the Voluspa poem
- Archaeologists believe Fimbulwinter may be cultural memory of real volcanic disaster
Source: 5 Ancient Apocalypses That Actually Happened by Dark5 Ancient Mysteries