Which 1883 eruption destroyed the volcanic island of Krakatoa?

The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa destroyed much of the volcanic island in Indonesia.

Krakatoa, also spelled Krakatau, lay in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. A major eruptive sequence began in May 1883 and culminated in enormous explosions on 26 and 27 August. Much of the island collapsed into the sea, producing tsunamis that devastated nearby coastlines.

The eruption’s sound was reportedly heard thousands of kilometres away, and atmospheric dust caused striking sunsets around the world. The disaster killed more than 36,000 people, with most deaths attributed to tsunami waves rather than the explosive eruptions themselves.

A new volcanic cone, Anak Krakatau (“Child of Krakatoa”), emerged in the caldera decades later. It became an active volcano and partially collapsed during an eruption in December 2018, generating another deadly tsunami. Krakatoa is therefore both the name associated with the historic island and a broader volcanic complex.