Krakatoa Day - August 27

Happy Krakatoa Day!

Of course, if you were around the volcano on Krakatoa Island on this date in 1883, you probably wouldn't be having a happy day. On this day, one of the most destructive and deadly volcanic eruptions in recorded history destroyed 70% of the island. Hot ash and tsunamis accounted for most of the 36,000+ deaths, and one of the eruptions even ruptured ear drums of sailors nearby. Though smaller amounts of volcanic activity had been going on for months, August 27 was when the 4 major eruptions did the vast bulk of the damage.

Though they're clearly dangerous, it's easy to be fascinated by volcanoes, and the eruption of Krakatoa was one of the biggest we know about.

Houghton Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons


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