# Historical reconstruction of 14th-century European floods > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/historical-reconstruction-of-14th-century-european-floods > Updated: 2026-08-13T20:10:19.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Researchers from the Technical University of Vienna have identified that the ‘Magdalenenflut’ of 1342, historically viewed as a singular catastrophe, was actually the peak of a multi-year sequence of extreme weather. By analyzing over 1,000 contemporary sources, including chronicles and archaeological evidence, the team reconstructed a ‘string of pearls’ consisting of 16 interconnected flood events occurring between 1341 and 1343. These repeated inundations affected major rivers such as the Danube, Rhine, Elbe, and Moldau, causing massive economic damage and destroying vital infrastructure like the stone bridge in Prague. The cumulative impact led to thousands of deaths through drowning, disease, and hunger. Scientists suggest the period of extreme weather may have been driven by volcanic activity in 1340 and 1341, which released sulfur-containing aerosols that altered atmospheric circulation, or potentially by shrinking Arctic sea ice. The study highlights the necessity for modern flood planning to consider the possibility of multiple extreme events occurring in rapid succession. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: Europe's 1342 St. Mary Magdalene’s Flood was part of a 16-event disaster sequence Research reveals that Europe's catastrophic 1342 St. Mary Magdalene’s Flood was part of a cluster of 16 major floods occurring between 1341 and 1343, causing massive socioeconomic devastation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europes-1342-st-mary-magdalenes-flood-was-part-of-a-16-event-disaster-sequence ### 2026-08-12: TU Wien researchers identify 1342 floods as a multi-year series TU Wien researchers found that the 1342 ‘Magdalenenflut’ in Central Europe was the peak of a 16-event flood series likely triggered by volcanic activity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tu-wien-researchers-identify-1342-floods-as-a-multi-year-series --- Cite as: Historical reconstruction of 14th-century European floods. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/historical-reconstruction-of-14th-century-european-floods