1883 eruption of Krakatoa
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa (Indonesian: Letusan Krakatau 1883) in the Sunda Strait occurred from 20 May until 21 October 1883, peaking in the late morning hours of 27 August when over 70% of the island of Krakatoa and its surrounding archipelago were destroyed as it collapsed into a caldera.
| 1883 eruption of Krakatoa | |
|---|---|
Photograph during the eruption in 1883 | |
| Volcano | Krakatoa |
| Start date | 20 May 1883 |
| End date | 21 October 1883 (?) |
| Type | Plinian eruption |
| Location | Krakatoa archipelago, Sunda Strait, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) 6.102°S 105.423°E |
| VEI | 6 |
| Impact | Over 70% of the island of Krakatoa destroyed and collapsed into a caldera; 20 million tons of sulphur released; volcanic winter causes five-year average world temperature drop of 1.2 °C (2.2 °F) |
| Deaths | 36,417–120,000 |
The change in geography after the eruption | |
The eruption was one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history. The explosion was heard 3,110 kilometres (1,930 mi) away in Perth, Western Australia, and Rodrigues near Mauritius, 4,800 kilometres (3,000 mi) away. The acoustic pressure wave circled the globe more than three times.: 63 At least 36,417 deaths are attributed to the eruption and the tsunamis it created.
Significant additional effects were felt worldwide in the days and weeks after the volcano's eruption. Additional seismic activity was reported until February 1884, but any reports after October 1883 were dismissed by Rogier Verbeek's subsequent investigation into the eruption.