Which 1883 eruption destroyed the Indonesian volcano island of Krakatoa and caused huge tsunamis?

The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa destroyed much of the Indonesian volcano island and caused huge tsunamis.

Krakatoa, also spelled Krakatau, lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Its catastrophic eruption began in May 1883 and reached its most violent phase on 26–27 August. The volcanic island largely collapsed into the sea during the event, producing pyroclastic flows and tsunamis that devastated nearby coastlines.

The eruption killed more than 36,000 people, with most deaths caused by tsunami waves rather than direct volcanic effects. The explosion was heard thousands of kilometers away, and atmospheric dust produced striking sunsets around the world. Barometers recorded pressure disturbances that traveled repeatedly around the globe.

The original volcanic cone was largely destroyed, but a new volcano called Anak Krakatau, or “Child of Krakatoa,” emerged from the caldera in the 1920s. It remains active. A later collapse at Anak Krakatau in December 2018 generated a deadly tsunami, showing that the region's volcanic and coastal hazards continue.