Truly gigantic eruption are so rare that we have few example within the era of recorded on and around Sumbawa, across Java and Madura and in climate effects around the world. It was almost as large as that of Rinjani (Samalas) in 1257, and Historical records for the 1815 eruption of Tambora are much larger than those for Rinjani. This timely recollection of Tambora events is an excellent reminder of gigantic eruptions and effects that will surely occur again. The more we learn from this history the better prepared we will be when the next such event occurs.