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Tambora also led the the invention of the bicycle. There was no food to feed horses due to failed crops, so Karl Drais invented the Laufmachine, the first iteration of the bike in 1817

Fun fact : Mount Tambora before 1815 was originally around 4300 meters tall. After the eruption it's only around 2800 meters tall.

To put it simply, each time Indonesian volcanoes erupted, either it would be population bottleneck or summer less year. Or both.

There were a number of individual events mentioned that I had no idea could all be traced back to one volcano's eruption. The butterfly effect is well and truly a solid theory, tbh.

1:35 - Chapter 1 - The ticking bomb 5:10 - Chapter 2 - Destruction 8:35 - Mid roll ads 9:55 - Chapter 3 - The year without a summer 13:10 - Chapter 4 - The modern prometheus 16:50 - Chapter 5 - Coming to america 19:35 - Chapter 6 - Death in the time of cholera

Here's the scary thing: there are *MANY* volcanoes in the Indonesian Archipelago capable of a Tambora-level eruption, given that Archipelago is one of the most geologically active parts of the world. And on the island of Sumatra, the Lake Toba supervolcano is *NOT* considered extinct, just dormant. A more recent eruption that had catastrophic climate effects was the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. That ejected so much ash as sulfur into the atmosphere that (for example) California experienced above normal rains for nearly a _decade_ .

My family still remembers it. At the time, they planted Abenaki maize (Native American cultivar for the area roughly around Maine and Quebec), which has a short growing season and is cold hearty. They lived in Virginia and normally used Abenaki maize because they could barely squeeze two crops out (for the hogs). They report that the first crop, planted in March, came in well enough by June, but the next crop failed mostly with frosts and snow in August. Fortunately, they had food, but there were widespread shortages and the next year they only managed to get a single crop. So family wisdom is that you always plant a stand of Abenaki maize just in case. And I still do.

This is the second Indonesian volcano to be featured in this channel, Can't wait for Krakatoa.

Mount Tambora: "Ahem." *(EXPLOSIVE CRESCENDO)*

Just read Mount Tambora: The Year Without a Summit. Which is technically correct.

Sumbawa, besides the giant caldera of Mt. Tambora, still shows signs of the eruption today. The island is smack dab in the middle of the Lesser Sunda archipelago. This is basically Indonesia’s driest region, as it is heavily influenced by the dry desert winds that roll off neighboring Australia. That said, on the islands to either side of Sumbawa, canopy rainforest can be found as one begins to climb in elevation. Trees there can still reach immense height and girth. Sumbawa itself is also quite a mountainous island. The peaks are not as tall as Rinjani on Lombok or many of the volcanic massifs on Flores, but they’re substantial enough that montane rainforest and cloud forests would be expected. But if you ever travel the island, you’ll quickly notice that while it can be lush in the mountains and places that are not in rain shadow (mostly westward-facing slopes), the trees look as though they’re stunted. They do not seem to grow as tall nor as large around as those of their neighbors. They often seem to be of uniform height. They don’t seem to grow in such variety of species either. I’m not entirely sure of the mechanisms at work, but it’s clear that this is what happens when the forests of a land are completely decimated. Even 200 years since the event, the forests of Sumbawa look as though they are still just growing back. It is a strange sight if you traveled much of the rest of the country.

The bicycle is also a result of the Tambora. Horses either died or they were eaten, but the postal service had to deliver mail. Without horses it would have been impossible, thus a replacement was created: the velocipede.

catastrophes like this reminds me of that the earth is not made for us, we are here just as guests...

The chain of butterfly effect events after the eruption is the wildest series of recorded events I’ve ever heard. Crazy to think two of the horror genre’s greatest titles were written because of a volcanic eruption.

*joke about how many channels Simon has*

"forgot to press record" XD classic

“Our familiar friend, pestilence.” Good grief, Simon, who do you hang with?

I wonder which one of Simon's personalities would win in a friendly knife fight

An all year long severe winter sounds considerably more miserable than 2020. I guess things can always be worse.

The amount of material that blew out of the mountain is just....mind boggling. I really can't get my head around it.

I love how Mother Earth throws these disasters at us and sees how we’ll do. Might name my next cat Tambora.

I will share my experiences while in Indonesia 2010, 2015, 2018 (Queen Mother Nature's Journey). I'll be honest when I talk about Indonesia, so I apologize in advance. An experience like no other, because I was very happy when I was on a land that has a beautiful, unique, diverse and captivating natural history but also has the biggest, deadliest and most natural disasters in the world. I'm talking about mother nature not about man-made. Indonesia has no less than 500 volcanoes (both active and inactive and underwater volcanoes). Indonesia symbolizes the elements of water, earth, fire, wind and plants combined into one. INDONESIA, at first I didn't know anything about Indonesia. In the end I got a news of a natural disaster in Indonesia, I immediately went to a large library in Europe. It turns out that there is a book that immortalizes the great natural disasters that occurred in Indonesia. The name Indonesia has been recorded and engraved long ago in Europe without us knowing it. I will talk about nature. The advantages of tourist attractions in Indonesia : 85% of tourist attractions in Indonesia are natural and 15% are man-made, even UNESCO labels Indonesia as a world heritage. Nature in Indonesia is very beautiful, charming, unique and different but also saves a lot of dark history written by the International. Talking about nature, Indonesia is second to none because of the world level. Disadvantages of tourist attractions in Indonesia : Indonesia is a country that is labeled as an area prone to natural disasters, not only that but also the most deadly and dangerous. There are so many dark history, natural disasters in Indonesia claimed a lot of victims in the world, most often occur and can also have an impact on other countries. It's all written in the history of the world. It is undeniable, the power of Nature in Indonesia is far more frightening, very strong and deadly. Not Chile, Japan, Philippines, USA, Italy, New Zealand, India, China, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, Finland and Canada. Because the largest number of victims of natural disasters in the world is Indonesia. The number of natural disasters in Indonesia from 2016 to 2020 was 17,032 events. That's a 5 year calculation, What if the total is from 1800s? Could be more. In fact, the most earthquakes in the world are not Japan or Chile, but Indonesia. Not only that, hurricanes, tsunamis, landslides, floods, storms, typhoons, earthquakes eruptions and others phenomenon. Very brutal and deadly. Overall, Indonesia has been named a QUEEN MOTHER NATURE, if it wakes up from its sleep then a big event will repeat itself. Nature in Indonesia cannot be used as a joke, because physically Indonesia's geography is included in "ABNORMAL". Nature in Indonesia has a very different level compared to other countries, because it is completely beyond human reason. Many historians, scientists, researchers and volunteers are involved in the "RAGE OF QUEEN MOTHER NATURE IN INDONESIA". The total points for natural attractions in Indonesia are 10/10. Queen Mother Nature brutal power level. >JAPAN : 10 (NORMAL NATURE). >PHILLIPINES : 8 (NORMAL NATURE). >CHILE : 10 (NORMAL NATURE). >NEW ZEALAND : 9 (NORMAL NATURE). >USA : 10 (NORMAL NATURE). >ITALY : 8 (NORMAL NATURE). >CANADA : 8 (NORMAL NATURE). >MALAYSIA : 5 (NORMAL NATURE). >CHINA : 7 (NORMAL NATURE). >ICELAND : 7 (NORMAL NATURE). >THAILAND : 6 (NORMAL NATURE). >GREENLAND : 8 (NORMAL NATURE). >AUSTRALIA : 9 (NORMAL NATURE). >BRASIL : 8 (NORMAL NATURE). >PANAMA : 9 (NORMAL NATURE). >INDONESIA : GOD LEVEL (QUEEN MOTHER NATURE). Please find out how many total deaths are caused by major natural disasters in Indonesia, they occur too often, in fact many other countries have cooperated with Indonesia but have not been able to control natural disasters in Indonesia and are finally labeled as "ABNORMAL". Other countries also experience natural disasters but not as strong, as much and as brutal as nature in Indonesia. It is clear that the physical geography location of Indonesia, which is far apart, seems to be torn apart by nature. Previously, Indonesia territory was not shaped like that but was still connected to Southeast Asia and Australia. Even the governments of many countries have warned the Indonesian government to remain vigilant about natural disasters there, it's no joke because the dark history of the major natural disasters in Indonesia is written and documented by the International. Natural brutality and so scary in Indonesia, among others. >Indonesia has experienced earthquakes for 32 years. The history of the longest earthquake in the world. >Indonesia once covered the whole world in a year without a summer. (Tambor 1815) The occurrence of global poverty affects many countries (Europe, America's, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania). >Indonesia has experienced the collapse of a very large landmass called SUNDALAND. The split of the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara. Then the mainland was separated from Thailand, Malaysia and Brunei. Everything fell into the sea. >Indonesia once made an earthquake and caused a tsunami that hit 14 countries. (Tsunami Aceh). The collision between the Sumatran plate and the Indian Ocean in the Aceh region of Indonesia caused 14 other countries to experience large tsunamis, even reaching India. >Indonesia has a super volcano that has been designated by UNESCO as an International GeoPark, which results in the death of 90% of mankind in the world. (Toba Supervolcano). Humanity is almost extinct and makes the territory of Indonesia volcanically active. >Indonesia was also previously connected to mainland Australia but collapsed and separated. Not only in the western part of Indonesia, but in eastern Indonesia, there is a collision between the Australian plates. >Indonesia also has a volcano that is recorded as having the loudest sound in the world and causing a tsunami. (Krakatoa 1883). The explosion was much larger than the Hiroshima bomb, generating a tsunami as high as 40 meters, volcanic ash, the loudest and recorded sound in modern world history. >Indonesia also caused flash floods to Timor Leste. The cause of flash floods between the eastern side of Indonesia and the country of Timor Leste was also affected. >And others. There are too many major natural disasters in Indonesia. Too many. In fact, throughout 2022, Indonesia has experienced 954 natural disasters, outperforming other countries. Mother Earth Queen in Indonesia often rages and is very domineering. No other country in the natural category can match it. Other countries also have natural disasters but when compared to natural disasters in Indonesia it is nothing. Queen Mother Nature in Indonesia is of a different class. "The more beautiful you look, the more dangerous you are". (Indonesia is the throne Queen of all the Queens of Mother Nature). The rampage, power, brutality, deadly of nature in Indonesia are at their maximum level : THE REAL QUEEN MOTHER NATURE. Nature in Indonesia has claimed many lives and has an impact on other countries, no matter where they come from. When it goes berserk, its true power will destroy and kill anything in its path. If I write down one by one the major natural disasters in Indonesia, then you will know that what I am typing is a 100% real event.

Mount Tambora's eruption, when you think about it, radically altered human history. Before Tambora, Europe was stuck in a colonialist, quasi-Feudalist, monarchical state of running the world. While "emperors," like Napoleon, had virtually united the continent into one powerful country under his rule. After Tambora, Europe's urge to "colonize the world" faded from its' previous urgency, and replaced traditional Monarchies with more modern systems of government, most notably dictatorships, democracy, and communism. Before Tambora, the United States was really just a massive, unsettled country, with the vast majority of its' population living on the East Coast. Most of the west was still just populated primarily by Native Americans, and Latin American Spaniards. After the fateful year 1816, America started pouring west, and kick-started the anti-slave/pro-slave politics that would ultimately lead to the American Civil War. Before Tambora, China was a remote, self-contained imperial juggernaut, that wanted little to do with the rest of the world. It was powerful, but very, very isolated, and ignorant of the threat of European colonists. Afterward, well... We all know what happened to China in the 19th and 20th Centuries... "The Year Without a Summer" changed human civilization to such a degree that you could arguably restructure all of human civilization, as a whole, to two new divisions of history: "BT and AT" (Before Tambora and After Tambora)! The world that has existed since 1815 is so radically different from how it looked prior to that fateful year, that it's very nearly as radically different as the difference between the "Bronze Age" and the "Iron Age!"

I still remember the stories my Great Grandmother told me that her Great Grandmother told her of what life was like back during the year without a summer.

Mount Toba: **(exploded)** Mount Krakatoa: dad nooo Few year later Mount Krakatoa: I'll do it for you dad **(exploded)**

The year without a summer. Also referred to as "the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and froze to death"

Im glad this wasnt on the Casual Criminalist.. Mount Tambora: The Year Without a Summer.. The story of an evil masterminds volcano lair..

How come I never learned about Mount Tambora in a World History class at school? I was kind of vaguely aware of Tambora causing "The Year Without A Summer", but without much detail, and mostly as it pertained to Mary Shelley. None of this other stuff mentioned. Absolutely fascinating seeing so many societal changes hinging on this one volcano and the horrendous, disastrous weather.

You mentioned Thera and the demise of the Minoans. From what I understand, Thera only erupts on the average, about once every 20,000 years ... but of course when it does, it's a big one. Sadly for the Minoans, one of the greatest ancient civilizations, purely by chance they happened to build a spectacular city ... smack on top of the thing. And when Thera erupted, the city was 'literally' vaporized, and the world changed completely. We mere mortals can only imagine what history would look like today, had Thera decided not to erupt until a few thousand years later. We like to think that we are in control, but are occasionally humbled by such natural events. You should do a video about Thera, because almost everything we know and understand today, can probably be traced back to that one eruption.

THE HOLY HAND GRENADE OF ANTIOCH

Holy shit. Really puts contemporary "disasters" in perspective. We live such comfortable lives today

Left out was the second largest volcanic eruption in known history going off 15 years later on the neighboring Island of Lombok in 1830 which added much to the chaos. It is only 75 miles or so west of Mount Tambora. I lived several years on these two islands. Both eruptions were many times larger than the more famous Krakatoa (Krakatau).

I visited Tambora a few months ago. It’s insanely beautiful from the ocean. Pumped to see one of my favorite creators making a video about it 🙌🏼

A suggestion: tornado alley? And what amrrica has done to deal with it

I currently live 180 miles from Mount Tambora and 25 miles from Mount Agung. I think every island in Indonesia has at least one active volcano.

Well as bad as this whole COVID-19 thing has been, at least we aren't living through the Mt Tambora eruption.

If the northern hemisphere didn't have a summer, how cold the southern hemisphere winter got specially in places that are already cold like Chile, Southern Australia and New Zealand?

As Indonesian, I didn't know that the eruption of Tambora literally changed the world. It's so mind blowing!

I subscribe to all channels (i think, definitely 3). This is by far my most favorite video out of all channels. The range and lasting effects of one single event are always underestimated. Being able to put together the event and the lasting implications of the event is the reason why history is valuable! Keep keeping on!

I live 100 miles from my st helens in yakima and when it erupted the ash turned my city dark like it was midnight. Street lights came on and couldn't see ten feet infront of you. That was scary and I knew what had happened. Can't imagine what ppl were thinking when tambora erupted. Great video.

This particular episode reminds me of an old show called “ connections “ by James Burke i Good on ya

Tambora, prior to eruption in 1815 was the highest peak in Indonesia with about 4,300 meters ASL and after the eruption it has been reduced to 2,800 meters ASL.

these videos are so well done dude, amazing

When the apocalypse inevitably come, I will remember the good times when Simon Whistler narrated me to sound sleep knowing tomorrow would be as good as I could make it.

And less than 75 years later, just 1400 km to the west, the second biggest, & loudest ever recorded, volcanic eruption in modern history occurred....

Someone hit the Earth’s “Brown note”. I’ll show myself out.

Thank you, that was an amazing video. I loved the way you pulled all those disparate stories together to demonstrate how everything was interrelated. Fantastic!

In high school, I remember learning about some of the fall out from the volcanic eruption. Your summary was easy to follow - thanks for adding to my knowledge on this event.

I like when Simon's personality comes out in hia channels. Business Blaze Simon leaking into everything else

Genuinely, this is the hardest working man on KZfaq.

I requested this one on one of this channel's first videos!!! Thank you so much Simon!!! ❤

Great video mate. I've binged hundreds of your vids and always enjoy it, but I love the direction you took here - great work. Thanks from Australia!

I’m 62. When I was in grade school (1st - 6th grade), we had American History where I know today is not true. Going over their accomplishments, i first heard of Poor Richard’s Almanac. It gave weather predictions, and most people thought Franklin was crazy due to his prediction of snow on the 4th of July. Over the years I’ve wondered if he made the prediction of snow or if it’s just folklore. When (or if) Franklin made his prediction for snow, I can’t see him knowing about Tambora. Any no one would have linked the eruption and it’s effects on the global weather.

As bad as Tambora was it was nothing compared to Mt Toba which literally almost caused humans to go extinct.

Love your storytelling. I even love the speed with which you narrate it. I also speak quite quickly bc I comprehend quite quickly. Love this channel

This is one of the best videos I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy. Snowball effects in history have always grabbed me something fierce. I can’t believe I’ve only just heard about Tambora

I saw a video about this on another channel last year. It was informative, but didn't go into as much detail as yours did. Kudos to your research team!

It's just like I always say "Never underestimate the power of a huge sphere made of mostly molten rock" -Bowser

0:12 It is sweet to know that even an experienced KZfaqr with millions of subscribers can forget to hit record now and then. I admired your self-control. Love your videos; exploring your other channels in the days and evenings to come. Thank you from Peterborough (no, not YOUR Peterborough, but the one in Canada, eh!) Teeheehee. Thank you again. Stay safe.

Excellent video as always, Simon. Thank you.

I am so happy ive been waiting for this one.

The modern island that was Tambora is today's Sumbawa, 3 islands away from the famous Bali. I spent 8 days there back in 1980 - the beaches still have black sand! The various sub-species of Rosewood found on that island make modern paraphernalia found in the local markets highly prize though I doubt few know of its bleak and deadly History!!

Tamboura famously affected Waterloo in 1815, but there is another similar event. In Dec 1808, a volcano, probably in the High Andes, went off and four months later, there was heavy rain in Central Europe as Austrian troops marched into Bavaria as the 1809 war began.

Learning something new every time with ya'll. Keep up the good work.

I still find it impressive how many of these videos you put out! Great quality, accurate and overall just very well done. Thanks for putting them out!

Imagine being a British soldier arriving to stop what you think is an enemy invasion, only to learn that that's not canon fire, it's the local volcano

Simon you do give me mush needed info. You deliverer like no one else does. My go to info overload. A new history I didn’t know existed until now. Love my history. I will research more into this. Thanks from me to you. Much respect from a want to be info KZfaqr 😊

I love it when you guys do the vids on natural places, many thanks for another awesome one ☺️

it said there are several kingdoms around tambora at that time, and when the 1st mt tambora erupted, those kingdoms are wiped out overnight

Awesome episode! Worth reading twice, Simon!

Such an excellent channel. In a sea of crap it’s refreshing to see some quality content. The major plus is the balance of the elements that make the show. consistent quality and well researched educational entertainment. Well done

Simon, I think this is my favorite of all the channels you narrate.

This might be literally your most poignant video…it’s important to realize things can turn on a dime globally, and by no fault of any human.

Excellent video! The Tambora explosion certainly should be more well known

I really appreciate you Simon, thank you!!!

Every time Simon says "Eruption" all I can and hear is EVH. Some part of me wishes that each time "eruption" is uttered a whammy altered, screeching guitar riff would play. Aah....Eddie. I miss you too much already. BTW....I love your work Simon. 👍👍

Hello pestilence my old friend.... I've come to scratch you again....

Isn’t 1812 the same time of the massive New Madrid earthquake in the US... and didn’t Napoleon march into Moscow, only to find the city empty and abandoned in the same year?... seems like the whole world went through a massive reset like events EVERYWHERE in 1812... Interesting...

For once I took a recommended sponsor and went and joined curiosity stream. Very cool service. I enjoy it very much. Thanks for not schilling crap Simon!😁

Spectacular video! Thanks for the great content!

Next Geographics Idea: 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines. Considered the second worst or most powerful eruption in the 20th Century.

One thing we've learned from modern eruptions in Europe has been pretty much the complete grounding of lots of planes in the affected areas and those areas become huge "no fly" zones because volcanic ash particles and jet turbines do not mix. It destroys them in-flight or on the ground when taxiing. Falling ash particles can also be sucked into modern ground and sea transport engines rendering them useless as well. Ash-covered satellite dishes don't work anymore. Point-to-point microwave transceivers on cell phone towers can't penetrate the ash cloud thus shutting down cell phone comms. Ash clouds also interfere with radio wave propagation causing even the best amateur radio operators on the planet to be completely ineffective at communicating with anything in the affected areas. Ash covers solar panels and gets into wind turbine engines causing them to seize up. And then there's the power plants and their giant coal-burning furnaces which require constant coal stock replenishment from long trains which will no longer be able to operate due to their engines sucking in ash particles and being destroyed or at least rendered inoperable. That means the power goes out, the lights go out, and humanity as a whole in the affected areas fall into chaos and bloodthirsty panic. The follow-on effects of a giant blast in modern times will make what happened back then look like nothing. If you don't live in a country that allows you to own firearms and ammunition in your own home, then move to a country that does and stock up.

Simon, thanks for producing all the entertaining and informative videos. The liberal sprinkling of humour adds greatly to the experience. With regard to the mention of sulphuric gas ejections from Tambora I well remember the effects of Mt Pinatubo in the same vein although obviously nowhere near the magnitude of Tambora's burp. The year following Mt Pinatubo, a particular plant in my garden flowered twice, the only time it has done so. And there were other effects too although I remember that particular one well.

Excellent video. So interesting the impacts and effects of the volcano eruption. Man, my home town of Calgary probably had snow and ice all year after that eruption.

Tambora, circa March 1815: I'm about to do what's called a pro-gamer move

Humans in the 19th century: We're at the top of history, we can do anything A random volcano:...... Humans in the 21st century: same story A random virus:.......

Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for this

Thank you Simon, one of your best.

In 1815 crops started to fail and Famine was rampant in Southern Africa, leading to a period known as Mfecane which saw the rise of Shaka Zulu. Tribes fought for the little resources available. Could the Tambora Eruption have lead to this period?🤔🤔🤔

Me 15 minutes in: ohhhh this is the story of how Frankenstein came to be I remember hahah damn how things really do flow

the fact that illinois joining the union, frankenstein, modern vampires, the first bike (wasn’t mentioned in the video), opium crisis, and sanitation were all indirect results of a volcano exploding 💀

Awesome video! I never realised how much can such an event change the world...

At the tail end of the video as Simon was recapping I started thinking hopefully some good things will come of this whole covid situation. Perhaps somewhere out there someone who got “let go” from their job because of the ‘demic had the time they finally needed to sit down and start writing a great piece of literature or were allowed to devote more of their newly freed time to furthering their craft and that in a few decades we will be able to look back and see a silver lining.

Indonesia is home to more devastating volcanoes. This is quite unique and very interesting to me.

Brilliant narrative, Simon. You always make me laugh with your wry quips. Priceless!

Here in Vermont, it’s still referred to as "eighteen-hundred and froze to death"

I liked the way this video reminded me of a show called "Connections" that I watched back in the 1980's. I think James Burke was the narrator. In case you needed yet another channel, something that followed that premise would be interesting. The premise being following connections through time, showing how one thing lead to another, in usually unexpected ways.

I'm not worried about Tambora. I'm worried about the mountain that everyone ignores

Big up yourself Simon keep up these fascinating videos :)