Krakatau volcano
Caldera 813 m (2,667 ft.) / Anak Krakatau: 189 m
Sunda Strait, Indonesia, -6.1°S / 105.42°E
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)
Krakatau webcams / live data | Reports
Krakatau volcano books | Tours
Sunda Strait, Indonesia, -6.1°S / 105.42°E
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)
Krakatau webcams / live data | Reports
Krakatau volcano books | Tours
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Last update: 22 Feb 2017 (unrest, eruption pause or eruption ended)
Typical eruption style: Explosive. Construction of a cinder cone island (Anak Krakatau) inside the caldera formed by the 1883 eruption. Frequent strombolian activity.
Krakatau volcano 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-early 2010, Oct 2010 - March 2011, July-Oct 2011, Jan-May + Sep 2012, 2015(?), 2017
Typical eruption style: Explosive. Construction of a cinder cone island (Anak Krakatau) inside the caldera formed by the 1883 eruption. Frequent strombolian activity.
Krakatau volcano 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-early 2010, Oct 2010 - March 2011, July-Oct 2011, Jan-May + Sep 2012, 2015(?), 2017
| Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance | Location |
| Sat, 14 Apr | |||
| Sat, 14 Apr 18:02 UTC | M 4.9 / 10 km | 41 km | Sunda Strait, Indonesia |
Krakatau exploded spectacularly in a devastating Plinian eruption 1883 that killed more than 30,000 people (mostly by the huge tsunamis triggered by the eruption). The eruption was one of the first global news events after telegraph lines had connected the different continents.
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.---
Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution
Krakatau Photos:
 Lightning in the eruption ash column of an explosion of Anak Krakatau (Nov 2010) (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
 Powerful strombolian eruption; some blocks become first visible when they leave the black ash cloud. (Anak Krakatau) (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |  Markus, George and Marco observing the activity. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
 Strong strombolian activity in moonlight observed from Anak Krakatau. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |  21 Nov: a powerful explosion showers the cone with glowing bombs. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
 A night filled with fireworks from Anak Krakatau ends. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) |
Krakatau volcano tours
Latest satellite images
NASA satellite image of the Sunda Strait, Indonesia
NASA satellite image of the island group of Krakatau.
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)
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Krakatau volcano, Sunda Strait: Krakatau Volcano Special
(expedition to study & observe Anak Krakatau volcano and its activity)
7 days - Easy
from 790 EUR p.P.
Custom and group dates
when erupting (unknown!)
12-14 Jul 2018
NEW expedition: 12-14 July 2018!
from 790 EUR p.P.
Custom and group dates
when erupting (unknown!)
12-14 Jul 2018
This is your chance to get to know one of the world's most famous volcanoes with an expert!
During this physically EASY expedition, you have the unique chance to experience one of the world's most beautiful and powerful volcanoes. Depending on which date, we spend 2-4 full days and nights on and around Krakatau volcano and stay in in a beautiful camp on one of the islands.
Watching Krakatau's fireworks when it is active is truly spectacular and we can go to various viewpoints on Anak Krakatau and neighboring islands as well from a chartered boat at our disposal.
Even when there is no eruption, the crater of Krakatau and its lunar surroundings, its fumaroles, the frozen lava flows, spectacular pumice cliffs of what remains of the island complex destroyed in 1883, hot springs, coral reefs and many other highlights make this a perfect trip if you like a volcano extension out from Jakarta.
Krakatau's fantastic exotic setting combined with the luxury of pleasant baths, beaches, fresh seafood and excellent organization from our experienced local crew round out the trip. ...more info
