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Krakatau erupting on May 27, 1883. From Symons, G., 1888, The Eruption of Krakatau and Subsequent phenomena: Reports of the Krakatau Committee of the Royal Society, Trubner, London.
Krakatau erupting on May 27, 1883. From Symons, G., 1888, The Eruption of Krakatau and Subsequent phenomena: Reports of the Krakatau Committee of the Royal Society, Trubner, London.
Anak Krakatau in eruption Nov 2007.
Anak Krakatau in eruption Nov 2007. For more photos, visit this page.

Krakatau (Anak Krakatau) volcano

Volcano type caldera
Location Sunda Strait, Indonesia
Summit elevation 813 m (2,667 ft.) / Anak Krakatau: 189 m
Last eruptions 1530, 1680-81, 1684, 1883 (Plinian eruption), 1927-30, 1931-32, 1932-34, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938-40, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1946-47, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1958-59, 1959-63, 1965(?), 1969(?), 1972-73, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007-8, April 2009 - ongoing
Typical eruption style Explosive. Construction of a cinder cone  island (Anak Krakatau) inside the caldera formed by the 1883 eruption. Frequent strombolian activity.

Background:

The renowned volcano Krakatau (or Krakatoa) lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Collapse of the ancestral Krakatau edifice, perhaps in 416 AD, formed a 7-km-wide caldera. Remnants of this ancestral volcano are preserved in Verlaten and Lang Islands; subsequently Rakata, Danan and Perbuwatan volcanoes were formed, coalescing to create the pre-1883 Krakatau Island. caldera collapse during the catastrophic 1883 eruption destroyed Danan and Perbuwatan volcanoes, and left only a remnant of Rakata volcano. This eruption, the 2nd largest in Indonesia during historical time, caused more than 36,000 fatalities, most as a result of devastating tsunamis that swept the adjacent coastlines of Sumatra and Java. Pyroclastic surges traveled 40 km across the Sunda Strait and reached the Sumatra coast. After a quiescence of less than a half century, the post-collapse cone of Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) was constructed within the 1883 caldera at a point between the former cones of Danan and Perbuwatan. Anak Krakatau has been the site of frequent eruptions since 1927.

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Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution

NASA satellite image of the Sunda Strait, Indonesia
NASA satellite image of the Sunda Strait, Indonesia
NASA satellite image of the island group of Krakatau.
NASA satellite image of the island group of Krakatau.
Close-up of Anak Krakatau volcanic island, with its recent lava flows well visible.
Close-up of Anak Krakatau volcanic island, with its recent lava flows well visible.

Krakatoa - the world's most infamous volcano

The island group of Krakatoa (or Krakatau) lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.  Krakatoa is infamous for its violent Plinian eruption in 1883, that destroyed the previous volcanic edifice and enlarged its caldera.
Collapse of the former volcanic edifice, perhaps in 416 AD, had formed a 7-km-wide caldera.  Remnants of this ancestral volcano are preserved in Verlaten and Lang Islands; subsequently Rakata, Danan and Perbuwatan volcanoes were formed, coalescing to create the pre-1883 Krakatoa island.  Caldera collapse during the catastrophic 1883 eruption destroyed Danan and Perbuwatan volcanoes, and left only a remnant of Rakata volcano. 
This eruption, the 2nd largest in Indonesia during historical time (the most violent being the eruption of Tambora in 1815), caused more than 36,000 fatalities, most as a result of devastating tsunamis that swept the adjacent coastlines of Sumatra and Java.  Pyroclastic surges traveled 40 km across the Sunda Strait and reached the Sumatra coast.  After a quiescence of less than a half century, the post-collapse cone of Anak Krakatoa ("Child of Krakatoa") was constructed within the 1883 caldera at a point between the former cones of Danan and Perbuwatan.  Anak Krakatau has been the site of frequent eruptions since 1927.


(adapted from GVP)

Krakatau volcano, Sunda Strait: Krakatau Volcano Special
(expedition to study & observe Anak Krakatau volcano and its activity)
Expedition to active Anak Krakatau volcano
Duration: 5-8 days Tour type: Volcano tour: photography - adventure Difficulty Easy
Price p.p.: from 950 EUR
Dates:
Custom and scheduled dates
space available27 Sep - 1 Oct 10
In mid April 2008 and again in late March-early April 2009, Anak Krakatau started to erupt again. For this reason, we again offer you the chance to see this spectacular volcano on expeitions that weill be arranged on demand for 1-10 pax.
During this physically EASY expedition, you will have 3-5 full days and nights on and around Krakatau volcano. If it is active, watching Krakatau's fireworks is spectacular and we can go to various viewpoints on Anak Krakatau and neighboring islands as well from a chartered boata at our disposal. This all in a phantastic exotic setting combined with the luxury of pleasant baths, beaches, fresh seafood and excellent organisation from our experienced local crew.
If you feel like joining us on our next adventure to this phantastic volcano, have a look! ...more info
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Last updated:  13/09 2009© VolcanoDiscovery 2004-10