August 27, 1883 - Krakatoa, a volcano on a small island between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra, erupted, blowing itself apart. This explosion is the most powerful volcanic eruption in history (recorded history anyway). It was heard 3000 MILES AWAY!!! Ash was hurled 50 miles into the air, huge tsunamis were created when the island collapsed into the ocean, and 36,000 people were killed (about 30,000 of those from the tsunamis). Some of the pyroclastic flows stretched 40 miles (across the water too) and killed thousands on the nearby islands.
Fine dust and ash that was hurled into the air during the explosion drifted around the earth, causing amazing sunsets and forming a veil in the upper atmosphere that lowered temperatures worldwide by several degrees.
Eruptions since then have caused a new volcano to form in almost the same spot. The locals call it "Anak Krakatau" or "child of Krakatoa.
No comments:
Post a Comment