This is the End of the World Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ireland

All of the countries listed experienced famines that wiped out over 25% of their populations. However, the famines of the incorrect three countries occurred earlier. The potato, native to the Americas, was introduced into European agriculture by the Spanish in the late 16th century. Because it was easy to cultivate, calorie-dense and nutritious, it became a staple crop in Ireland.

By the mid 19th century, it was the sole source of nutrition for half of the population. In 1845, a water mold, Phytophthora Infestans, came into Ireland from North America.

The mold destroys the leaves and tubers of the potato plant. That year, the weather was exceptionally cool and wet, the mold thrived ruining the majority of the crop. In the four years following, the "late blight", as the disease was commonly known, caused almost complete destruction of the harvest.

In 1841, the population of Ireland was approximately 8.4 million. From 1845-1851, 1 million people died of starvation and disease and another 1-2 million of the Irish left the country. By 1851, the county's population was only 6.6 million.

Answer: Complete destruction of the island

The volcano's eruptions of 26-27 August 1883 destroyed 2/3 of the island and produced the loudest explosion in recorded history which was heard 4800 km/ 3000 miles away. The tsunamis produced by the convulsion were observed as far away as South Africa.

The caldera released 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere which resulted in high winds, lower temperatures (1-2 degrees Celsius) and irregular weather patterns for the next 5 years. Additionally, the darkened skies, an effect of the amount of ash ejected into the atmosphere, produced vivid red sunsets throughout the world for the next 5 years. Weather observations noted an "ash stream", which we now know as the jet stream.

Answer: Siberia

Early morning 30 June 1908, an enormous aerial explosion occurred producing a fiery red sky and shockwaves detected by barometers as far away as Britain. It was over 19 years before Russian scientists conducted any investigation. When they did, they found that 800 square miles were affected.

The downed trees displayed a radial pattern leading to the epicenter, where the trees remained upright, but were stripped of limbs and bark. 37 years later, this pattern was repeated in Japan after the atomic explosions of 1945.

While the cause of the Tunguska Impact is still debated by scientists, it is generally accepted that a 60 meter asteroid detonated in the Siberian sky producing a explosive fireball with an estimated force of 185 of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima.

Answer: Sweating sickness

Also known as the English sweating sickness, this highly contagious disease first broke out in England in 1485. Later epidemics occured in England and continental Europe, the last of which occurred in 1551. Usually appearing in summer and early autumn, death came within 24 hours, most often, far quicker. Outbreaks lasted only 2 weeks and then disappeared.

Unfortunately, it seems that one didn't acquire any immunity if one survived a bout. To this day, science has no clear understanding of its cause.

The last known case occurred in 1578.

Answer: Spanish flu

Deaths attributed to WWI (1914-1918) were between 17-18 million and just at its end came this pandemic which killed 50-100 million around the world. Unlike other influenza outbreaks that were most deadly to the young and elderly, this particular virus killed people in the prime of life.

It is thought that the strain caused a hyper immune response in the lungs, therefore those with the healthiest immune systems were far more likely to die.

Answer: Smallpox

Smallpox epidemics, caused by the variola virus, have occured throughout the ages in Europe, Africa and Asia. When European explorers arrived in North and South America in the 16th and 17th centuries, the native populations were decimated as they had no immunity to the virus.

The Aboriginal peoples of Australia suffered the same fate in the 18th century. Englishman Dr. Edward Jenner (1749-1823) is credited with the discovery of a successful inoculation against cowpox which provided immunity against the disease.

He coined the term "vaccination" for this procedure, based on the Latin word for cow, vacca. The last naturally occurring case was in Somalia in 1977 and was declared eradicated in 1980. Though controversial, Russia and the US still retain samples of the virus.

Answer: The Roosevelt Dime

Epidemics of poliomyelits, also known as infantile paralysis, in the first half of the 20th century caused summertime terror in the US. Cinemas and swimming pools were closed and scouting jamborees were canceled. FDR's grass-roots foundation encouraged the collection of small donations and soon was dubbed the "March of Dimes". From 1938-1955, the year the Salk vaccine was introduced, the foundation contributed over $200,000,000 to disease research and treatment.

Answer: Cholera

Vibrio Cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera, is spread by ingesting food and water contaminated by human feces. Violent vomitting and diarrhea cause the severe dehydration that kills the victim. When Bazalgette (1819-1891) began his project, it was thought that cholera was spread by noxious air.

His sewage system, a wonder of civil engineering, is still in use today and brought an end to cholera outbreaks in London.

Answer: Typhoid Mary

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. As the disease progresses, intestinal hemorrhage, peritonitis and encephalitis eventually kill the victim. Mary Mallon (1869-1938), came to the US in 1883 and worked as a cook. From 1900-1907, every household that hired Mallon suffered typhoid outbreaks. Mallon would then quit without leaving a forwarding address.

She was arrested and quarantined from 1907-1910, released upon the stipulation that she not seek employment as a cook. However, she returned to cooking, changing names and jobs frequently and spreading typhoid again. Authorities arrested her in 1915 and she was quarantined at Riverside Hospital in New York for the rest of her life.

Answer: Upstream fishing club was held liable for a faulty dam

In the days preceding the flood, heavy rainfall swelled the Little Conemaugh River. Mid-afternoon of the 31st, a poorly maintained dam, located 14 miles upstream from Johnstown, failed. The broken dam, owned by a wealthy fishing club to create an artificial lake, released 18 million cubic meters of water. Floodwaters flatted everything in its path, including a barbed wire factory.

The wire bound the debris together and stopped the deluge temporarily when it hit a bridge, thereby further increasing the water's force when the bridge collapsed. 2209 people were killed.

Afterwards, victims filed unsuccessful lawsuits against the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, the courts holding that the flood was an act of God. However, public outrage lead to future adoption of strict liability in tort law.