The Little Ice Age, NASA, Colonial Virginia, and the Conundrum of Anomalous Weather Conditions

Abstract

The relevance of what has been termed as “The Little Ice Age” and its effect on the two earliest English settlements at both Jamestown and the “Lost” Colony of Roanoke in present-day coastal Virginia are still being widely discussed within the scientific community. Recent NASA surveillance findings concerning the events surrounding temperature anomalies at that time, how these affected the Earth’s spheres, as well as their interactions, are still being widely debated and discussed, and new research seeking answers for several growing hypotheses are being actively pursued. This study explores a select group of these ongoing studies. It exposes the potential causes for various situations presented by the Little Ice Age, plus the results and implications these had on all spheres of the planet. It additionally focuses on the problematic preconceived notions that early European settlers had about the conditions awaiting them in a vast and relatively unknown New World, and touches upon the aftermath of making that dangerous miscalculation. It also posits any future implications these recent findings could have on the future of the planet. Finally, it is important to note that like most American and European research studies on this topic, the foci discussed here will not specifically address the localized indigenous populations already living near these two settlements, albeit these groups undoubtedly suffered in a similar manner to their European counterparts. Instead, it will briefly shed light on how Native populations were relevant to the demise of these two English settlements.