On 27 August 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, erupted with catastrophic force. The explosions, among the most powerful in recorded history, were heard as far as 4,800 kilometres away and generated tsunamis that reached 37 metres in height. More than 36,000 people were killed, and the aftermath left both Indonesia and the wider world grappling with its effects.
The eruption and destruction
The Krakatau eruption unfolded over several days, but the climactic explosions on 27 August marked its most devastating phase. Entire coastal settlements on Java and Sumatra were obliterated by waves, ashfall and pyroclastic flows. Ships were thrown inland, and harbours disappeared under walls of water. Vast amounts of volcanic material were ejected into the atmosphere, reshaping both the island itself and the surrounding region.
Global impact beyond Indonesia
The scale of the eruption reverberated across the globe. Pressure waves circled the Earth multiple times, recorded on barometers thousands of miles away. Dust and aerosols ejected high into the stratosphere reduced global temperatures, while spectacularly vivid sunsets were reported in Europe, North America and beyond for years afterwards.
Consequences for the region
For Southeast Asia, the devastation was immediate and long-lasting. Coastal populations were decimated, trade routes disrupted, and agriculture severely impaired. Survivors were forced to rebuild with limited resources, while disease outbreaks followed in the wake of destruction. The event underscored the vulnerability of densely populated, low-lying communities in tectonically active zones.
Scientific lessons
The eruption provided early scientific evidence of the link between volcanic activity and climate change. Researchers of the time began to understand how volcanic aerosols could influence global weather, a field of study that continues to this day. Krakatau thus became a case study in the emerging science of climate and atmospheric interactions.
Modern relevance
For Indonesia and wider Asia, the 1883 eruption remains a sobering reminder of the risks posed by natural disasters in volatile geological settings. It also carries lessons for the Caribbean and parts of Africa, where volcanic activity, tsunamis or other large-scale climate shocks can have similarly global consequences. Modern warning systems, coastal planning and international cooperation have their roots in historical catastrophes such as Krakatau, demonstrating how tragedy can lead to preparedness.
REFH – Newshub, 27 August 2025
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