Middle Bronze Age Cold Epoch

The Middle Bronze Age Cold Epoch was a period of unusually cold climate in the North Atlantic region, lasting from about 1800 BC to about 1500 BC. It was followed by the Bronze Age Optimum (1500—900 year BC).

During that epoch, a series of severe volcanic eruptions occurred, including Mount Vesuvius (Avellino eruption, ≈1660 BC), Mount Aniakchak (≈1645 BC), and Thera (Minoan eruption, ≈1620 BC).