Anak Krakatoa volcano erupting off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia

© Martin Rietze/Alam

Force of nature. Remembering Krakatoa

Over two days in late August 1883, Krakatoa - an uninhabited island near Indonesia - experienced one of the most destructive volcanic explosions of modern times. It obliterated all but a third of the island and triggered massive tsunamis. The blast could be heard 3,000 miles away - it’s still the loudest sound ever recorded and ruptured the ears of sailors 40 miles from the island. More than 36,000 people lost their lives and the effects of the explosions were felt worldwide. Global temperatures dropped and skies darkened for years, causing huge crop failures. Sunsets turned a vivid red and the moon appeared blue or green, due to the volcanic debris circling in the atmosphere.The volcano we’re featuring today emerged from the ruins of the giant that exploded on this day in August 1883. Anak Krakatoa, or ‘child of Krakatoa’, began to rise in 1927. Although it has yet to be as destructive as its predecessor, the juvenile volcano is highly active and a collapse of the lava dome in December 2018 caused a massive tsunami, a reminder of just how dangerous nature in this part of the world can be.