How a Supervolcano Ignited an Evolutionary Debate

The Toba supervolcano eruption in Sumatra, Indonesia, was one of the largest in history, rated 8 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. It spewed ash and rock, affecting climate and possibly human evolution. Initially thought to cause a global volcanic winter and human population bottleneck, recent studies suggest its impact may not have been as catastrophic. Precise dating and climate reconstructions show mixed evidence of long-term effects. While some vegetation and animal populations were affected, others recovered quickly. The debate continues on Toba's role in human history, with some scientists suggesting it did not cause a significant bottleneck.

What evidence suggests that the Toba eruption did not lead to a significant extinction of ancient humans?

What factors might explain why the Toba eruption's impact was not as severe as initially thought?

What is the current consensus among researchers regarding the Toba eruption and the human bottleneck?