Susie Townsend explores the story of the Tambora volcanic explosion of 1815 and the catastrophic effect that this had on climate around the world. She uses contemporary accounts and images to set the scene. She demonstrates how this one event far away in Indonesia affected climate across the whole world. This led to calamitous impacts on agriculture and trade. She also links this to literature and art. She suggests a range of possible activities and recommends this as a possible transition unit for Year 6/7.