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Krakatoa
Krakatoa: The Deadly Volcano
Krakatoa, arguably the most famous volcano of all time, is located in the Sunda Strait, an area of water connecting the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean. Its most famous eruption generated the loudest sound ever recorded, and went on to inspire one of the most famous paintings of all time, as well as a Hollywood film.
These tsunamis reached a height of up to 140 feet. Eyewitness accounts from the colonial Dutch and the native population testify to the monstrous heights of the waves.
Atmospheric shockwaves from the explosions reverberated around the world seven times and were detectable for five days. The sky turned dark and remained so for days afterwards, while waves from the tsunamis were recorded as far away as the English Channel.
In the year following the eruption, average global temperatures fell by 1.2 degrees Celsius. Weather patterns were sent into chaos and there was a global increase in levels of sulphuric acid in the atmosphere. Earth’s temperatures did not return to normal for five years.
Despite being the loudest explosion on record, Krakatoa is actually only the fifth biggest natural explosion we know of. About 74,000 years ago Mount Toba in Indonesia erupted and has since been recognised as the most explosive volcanic eruption of all time.
Since Krakatoa erupted in 1883 a new 'child of Krakatoa' has been slowly building in the crater of the old volcano. First appearing above the water in 1925, this volcanic offspring is known by the locals as 'Anak Krakatau'.
Some art historians believe the red sky in the background of the famous painting The Scream by nineteenth century Norwegian expressionist Edvard Munch reflects the unusually intense sunsets seen throughout the world following the 1883 eruption, and the screaming figure holding his hands to be a witness to the noise.
In 1969 Hollywood made a film of the 1883 explosion, Krakatoa, East of Java, starring Maximilian Schell. The film's title was something of a boo boo; Krakatoa is in fact west of Java. Sadly for the filmmakers, this massive error is perhaps the most remembered thing about the film!
The volcano is still active, with its most recent eruptions taking place in 1994. Every time an eruption occurs, lava and ash is thrown up, only to cool and add to the island’s land mass. So much so that since the 1950s, the island has grown at an average rate of five inches per week.
When is it on?
- Krakatoa: The Last Days is currently off air. Remind me when it is next on.
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