What happened: New research suggests a massive volcanic eruption could have caused the rapid spread of the Black Death across medieval Europe. The eruption may have affected climate and environmental conditions, facilitating the plague's expansion.
Why it matters:
- It offers a new perspective on the historical factors behind one of Europe's deadliest pandemics.
- Understanding the cause can help historians and scientists better grasp how environmental events influence disease outbreaks.
MNN Take: The study links natural disasters to disease spread by showing how volcanic activity might have created conditions favourable for the plague to spread rapidly in Europe.
Sources: Sky News (Breaking)