science · 05 December 1952 · 72 years ago
In 1952, a dense smog descended on London, England, that would last four days, causing at least 4,000 deaths and chaos for transportation as visibility was reduced to a few hundred yards. Freshening winds and a rise in temperature dissipated the fog, which cleared on 9 Dec 1952. Although the London Underground could maintain service, but during the four days of smog bus service was vitually shut down when visibility was reduced so severely the roads became congested. During the time of dense fog, most flights in to London Airport were diverted to Hurn, near Bournemouth and linked by train with a Waterloo. The many deaths were of mostly among the elderly, the very young, or those with medical problems. The cause of the smog was coal-burning and required drastic action: the Clear Air Act of 1956.
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