2018 Sunda Strait tsunami
The 2018 Sunda strait tsunami (Indonesian: Tsunami Selat Sunda 2018) occurred on 22 December 2018 at around 21:38 local time after large parts of the southwestern side of Anak Krakatoa collapsed onto its caldera. The landslide spawned a massive tsunami wave that struck multiple coastal regions in Banten and Lampung, including the popular tourist destination of Anyer.
Scene of destruction in Carita Beach, Banten after the tsunami struck | |
| Date | 22 December 2018 |
|---|---|
| Time | around 21:38 WIB (14:38 UTC) |
| Location | Sunda Strait, Indonesia |
| Coordinates | 6.103°S 105.423°E |
| Type | Volcanic tsunami |
| Deaths | 426 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 14,059 |
| Missing | 25 |
| Property damage | 2,752 houses and 510 ships |
Lack of warnings on the arrival of the tsunami, coinciding with the Christmas and New Year holiday season in the nation, and night time setting in the area contributed to the large loss of life. With 426 deaths, the tsunami was the deadliest volcanic tsunami in recorded history in Indonesia since the 1883 Krakatoa tsunami, which originated from the same island.
Following the tsunami, Indonesian authorities installed multiple emergency early warning systems in tsunami-prone areas. The newer system would detect any significant disturbances on water levels, including changes caused by volcanic activity or undersea landslide.