In May 1883, after two quiet centuries, the volcanic island of Krakatoa awoke. Captain Hollmann of the German warship SMS Elisabeth was one of the first to document it. He reported a vast column of ash and smoke rising 11 kilometers into the sky. The initial rumbles were powerful enough to be heard in Batavia, 160 kilometers away. Over the next few months, the activity grew more intense as additional vents opened on the island’s three volcanic cones. Ash began to fall so thickly it obscured the sun for passing ships. For many local residents on nearby islands, these awesome volcanic displays were a cause for celebration and festivals, unaware of the catastrophe that was building with each passing day.
The Eruption of Krakatoa
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia: the loudest sound in recorded history, tsunamis that killed about 36,000 people, and ash that turned skies red around the world.
Chapter 1
The First Warning
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Frequently Asked Questions
How loud was the 1883 Krakatoa eruption?
The largest blast was the loudest sound in recorded history, estimated at 310 decibels. It was clearly heard 4,800 kilometers away on Rodrigues Island, where residents mistook it for cannon fire. The atmospheric pressure wave it created was recorded circling the globe three and a half times.
What caused the eruption of Krakatoa to be so destructive?
Scientists believe the final, catastrophic explosions were caused by two processes. One theory is that the volcano's collapse allowed massive amounts of seawater to flash into steam upon contact with magma. Another is that a new, hotter magma injected into the cooler magma chamber, causing a violent reaction. Both likely occurred.
Did the Krakatoa eruption have any long-term effects on the planet?
Yes, the ash and sulfur created a 'volcanic winter,' lowering global temperatures for five years, with a drop of 1.2 degrees Celsius in the year following the eruption. The haze produced spectacular red sunsets worldwide and led to the discovery of high-altitude winds, later called the 'Krakatoa easterlies,' which circle the equator in the stratosphere.
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