In April 1815, the eruption of Tambora VolcaNo. in Indonesia — one of the largest in recorded history — blasted ash and gases into the atmosphere purportedly causing widespread cooling and crop failure. 200 years on, the dynamics and effects of the Tambora eruption continue to fascinate and inform understanding of other giant eruptions in the past and future. In this Web Focus, we bring together a collection of opinion pieces that discuss current understanding of the Tambora event and other giant eruptions, and their impacts on society and the environment.