Krakatoa is an island of Indonesia, located in the Sunda Straight. It also happens to be a volcano. You know what’s coming.
A series of eruptions began on August 27th, proving to be some of the most damaging volcanic activity in recorded history. Four explosions in total occurred, creating a sound that could be heard up to twenty-two thousand miles away and would allegedly render anyone within ten miles of the blast deaf. Of course, that wouldn’t really be a problem because they were within ten miles of a massive volcanic eruption. The last thing you’re worried about in that situation is probably your hearing.
The death toll is estimated to be around the twelve-hundred thousand mark. Not only did lava flows and ash affect the death toll, but the eruptions also created a series of tsunamis around the island, making things a little more complicated for people trying to flee the scene. In the year following the eruption there were several reports of skeletons floating on rafts of pumice washing ashore in parts of Africa. In total, one-hundred and sixty-five towns and villages were destroyed and another one-hundred and thirty were severely damaged.
Much of Krakatoa itself was destroyed by the blast with over two-thirds of the island having “disappeared.” Volcanic activity starting in 1927 resulted in the construction of a new island in the same location named “Anak Krakatau,” or “Child of Krakatoa.”
