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This Day In History: Krakatoa Explodes, August 26-27, 1883
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

It’s been 125 years since the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history–the explosion, earthquake and subsequent tsunami caused by Krakatoa, an island in Indonesia. Krakatoa is still a benchmark for extreme seismic activity, as it’s explosion was 13,000 times more powerful than one of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima.

The Savage Earth series, which was originally broadcast in ‘98, has a website frequently used for reference materials about about earthquakes and volcanoes, and tsunamis.

When the devastating 2004 tsunami happened, Krakatoa expert Simon Winchester visited NewsHour to explain the seismic occurrence.

Did Krakatoa erupt sometime in the 4th century? See this site from an episode of Secrets of the Dead that explores that very question.

See NOVA’s timeline of the most major tsunamis in recorded history, with predictions as to when the next one may strike, from ‘Wave that Shook The World’.

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4 responses
volcano lover -- October 8th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

i <3 krakatoa

Yuna -- February 18th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

This was an amazing explosion i wish you had more info on this volcanic explosion, The Tsunami following after the explosion took a death toll on those who tried to escape by sea. Only 10 survived and not many bodies can be recovered from the ash and decomposition. 125 years ago was when terror struck.

UNKOWN -- March 18th, 2009 at 9:52 am

IS THAT LIKE ALL LIKE THAT YOU LIKE HAVE LIKE ON THIS LIKE SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????!!!!!!!!
-FROM: non of your beeswax

PERSON that is cool -- March 18th, 2009 at 9:55 am

krakoa is a cool name

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