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One of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history was that of Krakatau in 1883. Two-thirds of the island of Krakatau was destroyed and atmospheric shock waves reverberated around the world seven times. Gigantic pyroclastic flows entered the sea, creating tsunamis.

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1. At least 36,417 people were killed and many thousands were injured. Also, 165 towns were destroyed and there was serious damage to 132 more communities.

2. Waves from tsunamis were recorded as distant as the English Channel.

3. The average global temperatures fell by as much as 1.2°C in the year following the eruption and did not return to normal until five years later.

4. The explosion is considered to be the loudest sound in recorded history. It was heard as far away as Perth, Australia (about 1,930 miles or 3,100 km) and Rodrigues Island (3,000 miles or 4,800 km).

5. Spectacular sunsets were seen around the world for months. It has been theorized that Edvard Munch’s famous painting, The Scream, shows an accurate depiction of the sky over Norway in the days following the Krakatau eruption.

If you compare the relatively small size of Krakatau’s 1883 eruption with that of the caldera-forming eruptions at Yellowstone, you can gain some appreciation of how large and devastating the Yellowstone eruptions might have been.

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