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KnoWhy #197 - What Caused the Darkness and Destruction in the 34th Year? (3 Nephi 8:20)

TitleKnoWhy #197 - What Caused the Darkness and Destruction in the 34th Year? (3 Nephi 8:20)
Publication TypeKnoWhy
Year of Publication2016
Corporate AuthorsBook of Mormon Central Staff
PublisherBook of Mormon Central
Place PublishedSpringville, UT
KeywordsAncient America; Darkness; Disaster; Earthquake; Geology; Nature; Vapor of Darkness; Volcanic Eruption
Abstract

Scholars and geologists widely agree that the 3 days of darkness in 3 Nephi 8 could only be caused by the ash cloud created by a large volcanic eruption. The full range of destructive events requires both a volcano and an earthquake along a strike-slip fault. Such a fault system exists in Veracruz, Mexico, with a volcano nearby which likely erupted in the first century AD. Further evidence points to widespread volcanic activity in Mesoamerica around the first century AD, and ice core samples confirm a volcanic eruption somewhere in the world very close (ca. AD 30–40) to the time of Christ's death.

URLhttps://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/what-caused-the-darkness-and-destruction-in-the-34th-year
Citation Key2372

Scripture Reference

3 Nephi 8:20