Eruption of Krakatoa
- When
- 1883–1884
- Where
- Perboewatan cone; Sunda Strait; Ketimbang (Kalianda); Global
- Episodes
- 4
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in the Sunda Strait began with Strombolian activity in May and culminated in massive explosions in August. The event created a caldera, destroyed villages, and caused global atmospheric effects. Legacy data incorrectly places the May activity at Anak Krakatau, which emerged in 1927, not 1883.
Episodes
- Global Atmospheric Impact
The eruption darkened the sky worldwide for years and produced spectacular sunsets for months, influencing art and climate.
- Strombolian Activity Begins
Strombolian activity started on 20 May 1883, with steam venting from Perboewatan, the northernmost cone of the original Krakatoa island.
- Climactic Explosions
The eruption reached its climactic phase on 26 August 1883, with massive explosions continuing through 27 August, ejecting vast amounts of rock.
- Ash Fall in Sumatra
A rain of hot ash fell around Ketimbang (now Kalianda) in Sumatra on 27 August 1883, killing approximately 1,000 people.
Background and detail
Background. Krakatoa is a caldera in the Sunda Strait, part of the Dutch East Indies in 1883. Prior to the eruption, seismic activity was intense, with earthquakes felt as far as the Australian Northern Territory. The island group consisted of Lang, Verlaten, and Krakatoa itself, the latter being mostly destroyed by the 1883 eruption.
Climactic Phase. The eruption entered its climactic phase around 1:00 p.m. on 26 August 1883. Massive explosions occurred over 26–27 August, ejecting approximately 25 km3 of rock. These events were among the most violent volcanic occurrences in recorded history, creating the caldera that defines the site today.
Global Effects. The eruption darkened the sky worldwide for years and produced spectacular sunsets for months. This atmospheric phenomenon influenced art, such as Edvard Munch's The Scream. Record rainfall in Southern California during 1883-1884 is attributed to the eruption, demonstrating its far-reaching climatic impact.
Sources
- 1883 eruption of Krakatoa Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-06
- Krakatoa Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-16
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.