Scientists have identified the “mystery volcano” that erupted in 1831 and cooled Earth’s climate. They have linked it to an island volcano in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

In 1831, somewhere on Earth's surface, a portal to the underworld appeared. A massive volcano opened wide its jaws and belched forth so much ash and smoke that the skies dimmed, cooling the Northern Hemisphere.

The mystery location of a giant volcanic eruption that has puzzled scientists for almost 200 years has finally been solved, thanks to researchers from the University of St Andrews.