How a Supervolcano Ignited an Evolutionary Debate

The Toba supervolcano eruption in Sumatra, Indonesia, was one of the largest in history, rated 8 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. It spewed ash and rock, affecting climate and possibly human evolution. Initially thought to cause a global volcanic winter and human population bottleneck, recent studies suggest its impact may not have been as catastrophic. Precise dating and climate reconstructions show mixed evidence of long-term effects. While some vegetation and animal populations were affected, others recovered quickly. The debate continues on Toba's role in human history, with some scientists suggesting it did not cause a significant bottleneck.

What evidence suggests that the Toba eruption did not lead to a significant extinction of ancient humans?

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What factors might explain why the Toba eruption's impact was not as severe as initially thought?

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What is the current consensus among researchers regarding the Toba eruption and the human bottleneck?

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