Abstract:

The Huaynaputina eruption (Peru) in AD 1600 is one of the greatest historical eruptions in the world during the past 1000 years.Here,the possible climatic impact of the AD 1600 Huaynaputina eruption in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is investigated utilizing Chinese historical sources.Valuable relevant records are found in the Notes on Experiences (Jianwen Zaji),Collected Works of Hongdao Yuan and the local chronicles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is shown that the climatic impact in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River should be complicated.According to the records in the notes on experiences and the local chronicles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties,it snowed and was abnormally cold in the summer of AD 1601 in the Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River.According to the records in the Collected Works of Hongdao Yuan and the local chronicles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties,it snowed abnormally heavily and was also abnormally cold in the beginning of AD 1602 and spring of the year in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River.These climatic anomalies agree with the records in European historical sources and tree ring chronologies in the northern hemisphere.In addition,it was abnormally hot in the autumn of AD 1601 according to the records in the Notes on Experiences and the local chronicles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.Not all of the climatic anomalies can be attributed to the Huaynaputina eruption,but the Huaynaputina eruption should be a major cause.〖

Key words: Huaynaputina, volcanic eruption, climatic anomaly, historical source〖