Drought and drought-induced famine are recurring phenomena
in Mesoamerica that have devastated populations in the region
repeatedly during the past two millennia. Although it is
counterintuitive to conceive of the idea that volcanic eruptions
anywhere in the world might affect the lives of people in
Mesoamerica, we examine the reports of drought and famine during
the period A.D. 1440 to 1840 and compare them with
known, large volcanic eruptions. We then apply non-parametric
statistical techniques to determine whether the coincidences
seen between worldwide volcanic eruptions and Mesoamerican drought
within the following two years were due to random chance or
whether there was a direct, mathematically verifiable correlation.
We find a direct correlation to a probability of 56 in 100 million.
We conclude that due to its unique geographical position,
Mesoamerica was repeatedly devastated by drought and subsequent
famine between 1440 and 1840 due to the indirect climatic effects
of large volcanic eruptions that could be located anywhere in
the world.