Krakatoa Is a Volcanic Island in Indonesia

Krakatoa is a volcanic island in Indonesia between Java and Sumatra. On August 26th and 27th, 1883, the volcanic mountain Krakatoa erupted killing more than 37,000 people. Thousands more were injured in the eruption and the tidal waves that followed. As far away as 3,000 miles away people were able to hear the explosion. An incredible 2/3 of the island of Krakatoa was destroyed in the blast. The eruption of Krakatoa was one of the most devastating natural disasters in world history and volcanologists have given heavy amounts of research to the island's timeline before, after, and following the eruption of 1883.

Before the eruption of 1883, Krakatoa had been recorded as having erupted in the past. Since before recorded history, the volcanoes on this island have erupted, causing minor destruction. Larger eruptions were reported since 416 AD, then again in 535 and 1680. What little documentation there is about the pre-1883 eruption has been highly interesting to geological researchers. "Most writing was done on palm leaves and other perishable materials which have not survived" (Sweat). Each time, some damage was done but not to the extent of the largest eruption in recorded human history. Still, nothing like the 1883 explosion had ever been seen by human eyes. In the region, there was a certain population who lived and worked on or near the island.

The major difference between the Krakatoa explosions and those that went before was that this even had human witnesses. "Sophisticated human beings were on hand to see this volcano's convulsions, they were able to investigate the event, and they were able to attempt to understand the process that had caused such dreadful violence" (Winchester 5). Those that were not killed outright still had to deal with the aftermath of the eruption. In particular, the tsunamis that struck for days following the eruption were strong enough to destroy what remained of civilization both on the island itself and in surrounding locations.

After reevaluating Krakatoa's legacy, volcanologists have admitted that it was the 5th largest eruption of the this kind in world history (Winchester 4). Still, the other events did not occur when the human population of the region was so heavy. In terms of human life and the amount of debris which was raised up into the air, the Krakatoa eruption was one of the worst natural disasters in history. One witness said: "For two days after passing Anjer we passed through masses of dead bodies, hundreds and hundreds of them striking the ships on both sides -- groups of 50 and 100 all packed together, most of them naked" (Winchester 296). The amount of dead was enough to leave Krakatoa forever in the annals of world history. However, there was some rebirth that came as a result of the eruption. Subsequent eruptions created a whole new island broke the surface of the ocean in December of 1927, appropriately called Anak Krakatau or "Child of Krakatoa." Its existence was proof that even the most disastrous tragedies can be overcome and the world will continue on even after devastation.