Krakatoa

Krakatoa (krākətō`ə, krä–) or Krakatau (kräkätou`), volcanic island, c.5 sq mi (13 sq km), W Indonesia, in Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra; rising to 2,667 ft (813 m). A momentous volcanic explosion on Aug. 23, 1883, blew up most of the island and altered the configuration of the strait; the accompanying tsunami caused great destruction and loss of life along the nearby coasts of Java and Sumatra. The explosion is classed as one of the largest volcanic eruptions in modern times; so great was the outpouring of ashes and lava that new islands were formed, and debris was scattered across the Indian Ocean as far as Madagascar. Since then there have been several lesser eruptions.

Bibliography

See S. Winchester, Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded (2003).

---

Krakatoa

 or Krakatau

Island volcano in the centre of the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra, Indonesia. Its eruption in 1883 was one of the most catastrophic in history. Its explosions were heard in Australia, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and the Philippines, and large quantities of ash fell over an area of some 300,000 sq mi (800,000 sq km). It caused a tidal wave 120 ft (36 m) high that killed 36,000 people in Java and Sumatra. It erupted again in 1927 and has remained active.

---

Krakatoa

volcano in southwest Pacific which violently exploded in 1883, destroying the island. [Asian Hist.: NCE, 1500]

See : Destruction

---

Krakatoa

volcanic explosion on this Indonesian island heard 3000 miles away (1883). [Asian Hist.: NCE, 1500]

See : Loudness