Reading Passages: Mount Tambora - 1815 Eruption, History, Causes & Impact

Mount Tambora is an active volcano located on the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia. It is known for its massive eruption in 1815, which is considered one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Here's a closer look at the eruption, history, causes, and impact of Mount Tambora:

Eruption

On April 5, 1815, Mount Tambora began to erupt, and the eruption continued for several days. The eruption was so powerful that it was heard over 2,000 kilometers away. The volcano spewed an estimated 160 cubic kilometers of material into the air, including ash, rock, and gas. The ash cloud from the eruption was so massive that it blocked out the sun and caused a "year without a summer" in many parts of the world.

History

Before the eruption, Mount Tambora was a stratovolcano that had been dormant for several centuries. The eruption in 1815 was one of the largest in recorded history, and it had a significant impact on the surrounding area and the world.

Causes

The exact cause of the eruption is not known, but it is believed to have been triggered by a combination of factors, including tectonic activity and the volcano's location on the Ring of Fire, a region of intense volcanic and seismic activity.

Impact: The eruption of Mount Tambora had a significant impact on the world. The ash cloud from the eruption caused a drop in global temperatures, which led to a "year without a summer" in many parts of the world. The unusual weather patterns caused crop failures, famine, and social unrest in many countries. The death toll from the eruption is estimated to be at least 71,000, making it one of the deadliest volcanic eruptions in history. The impact of the eruption was felt for years afterward, with many areas experiencing decreased agricultural yields and economic disruption.

Mount Tambora vs. Krakatoa

Mount Tambora and Krakatoa are two of the most famous volcanic eruptions in history, and both had a significant impact on the world. 

Here are some key differences between the two:

Location: Mount Tambora is located in Indonesia on the island of Sumbawa, while Krakatoa is located on the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.

Size of the eruption: The eruption of Tambora in 1815 was much larger than the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. Tambora's eruption is estimated to have released 160 cubic kilometers of ash and debris, while Krakatoa's eruption released about 25 cubic kilometers.

Death toll: The death toll from the Tambora eruption was much higher than from Krakatoa. Tambora's eruption is estimated to have killed at least 71,000 people, while Krakatoa's eruption killed around 36,000.

Global impact: Both eruptions had a significant impact on the global climate. The Tambora eruption caused a "year without a summer" in 1816, with lower temperatures and unusual weather patterns around the world. The Krakatoa eruption also caused a drop in global temperatures and unusual weather patterns, but the impact was not as long-lasting as Tambora's.

Volcanic type: Tambora is a stratovolcano, which is a type of volcano that is characterized by its steep sides and explosive eruptions. Krakatoa is also a stratovolcano, but it is a much younger volcano than Tambora.

Overall, while both Mount Tambora and Krakatoa were devastating volcanic eruptions, Tambora's eruption was larger and had a greater impact on the global climate and human population.

Today, Mount Tambora is closely monitored by scientists, and there are measures in place to help mitigate the impact of future eruptions. The eruption of Mount Tambora serves as a powerful reminder of the awesome power of nature and the need to be prepared for natural disasters.

Here is a five paragraph expository essay on the Tambora eruption that could be written by a 5th grader in Arizona:

Introduction

In 1815, a huge volcano named Tambora erupted on the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia. This was one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history. The Tambora eruption caused lots of destruction and also had effects all around the world. 

Paragraph 1

The Tambora volcano started rumbling with small eruptions for about three years before the big eruption in 1815. In April of 1815, Tambora finally erupted in a massive explosion. It was an enormous eruption that sent ash and gases over 25 miles into the sky. The volcanic ash spread far and wide. Over 70,000 people on nearby islands were killed by the hot ash flows and tsunamis that were triggered by the eruption.

Paragraph 2 

The ash cloud from Tambora's eruption was so big that it blocked sunlight worldwide. This caused something called a "volcanic winter." For months after the eruption, the skies were hazy and the sun appeared dim even in distant places like Europe and North America. Temperatures dropped and 1816 was known as the "Year Without a Summer" because it was so cold. There were crop failures and famines in many areas because of the temperature changes caused by the volcano.

Paragraph 3

The Tambora eruption also impacted the weather. The ash particles high in the atmosphere disturbed rainfall patterns. There was severe rainfall in some parts of the world for months after the eruption. This unusual rain caused major flooding along the Yangtze River in China. There were also red sunsets and colorful sunrises caused by the volcanic gases for a few years after the eruption.

Paragraph 4 

Tambora was a very large volcano but much of it was blown apart in the 1815 eruption. Today, the volcano is about half its original size. The magma chamber under the volcano emptied out during the eruption, causing the volcano to collapse. Now there is a large crater left where part of the mountain once stood. The 1815 event was the largest and deadliest volcanic eruption in recorded history.

Conclusion

The eruption of Tambora in 1815 was a catastrophic event that impacted many parts of the world. It caused destruction locally and also widespread climate effects. The volcano changed weather patterns for years and affected temperatures globally. The Tambora eruption was one of the most significant volcanic events ever documented.

Here is a five paragraph "Oreo" essay comparing the eruptions of Tambora and Krakatoa:

Introduction

The massive volcanic eruptions of Tambora in 1815 and Krakatoa in 1883 were two of the most destructive in recorded history. Both caused tremendous local devastation and had lasting global impacts. 

Paragraph 1 (Tambora)

The eruption of Tambora in Indonesia was one of the largest ever recorded. The explosions could be heard over 1300 miles away. Tambora ejected so much ash and gas into the atmosphere that it caused a "volcanic winter", lowering global temperatures and ruining crops worldwide. Over 70,000 people were killed by the eruption's direct effects. Tambora basically ceased to exist as a large mountain after blowing its top off.

Paragraph 2 (Compare and Contrast)

Like Tambora, the eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia was incredibly powerful. Krakatoa actually ejected more material, sending ash 50 miles high. Both eruptions produced deadly tsunamis. However, while Tambora caused more immediate deaths, Krakatoa's global climate effects were more long-lasting. Krakatoa could be heard 3000 miles away and its pressure waves circled the Earth multiple times.

Paragraph 3 (Krakatoa) 

The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa was catastrophic. Two thirds of the island and the surrounding area were destroyed, with over 36,000 deaths. The tidal waves from the eruption were over 120 feet high. Shake waves from the blasts cracked buildings as far away as Australia. Krakatoa spewed so much ash and gas skyward that global temperatures dropped for years afterward. The spectacular sunsets with vivid crimson skies lasted for several years due to volcanic particles in the upper atmosphere.

Conclusion

The massive eruptions of Tambora and Krakatoa in the 19th century stand out for their incredible power and far-reaching impacts. They demonstrate the immense destructive force of volcanic activity. The effects were felt locally, regionally and worldwide for years after each eruption occurred. Though devastating, studying these eruptions provides insight into volcanology and Earth's climate patterns.