The gigantic eruption that made the volcanic island of Krakatau in Indonesia (or commonly in English, Krakatoa) famous down to the present day actually began on August 26th, 1883.  But the final eruption that destroyed most of the island happened on the following day, in a series of four gigantic explosions.  Ultimately the volcano was blamed for more than 36,000 deaths, although some historians and scientists consider that number (estimated by the Dutch authorities, as it was part of the Dutch East Indies at that time) to be much too low.  Krakatoa was the first major volcanic eruption to be studied and measured with modern scientific instruments such as seismographs and barographs.

Continue reading “One hundred thirty years ago today – Krakatoa”