The climactic explosions destroyed most of the island of Krakatoa and were heard nearly 5,000 kilometres away in Australia and Rodrigues. The pressure wave circled the globe several times and was registered on barographs worldwide.
Most of the roughly 36,000 deaths were caused by tsunamis up to 30 metres high that struck the coasts of Java and Sumatra. Ash injected into the stratosphere lowered global average temperatures for years and produced vivid sunsets recorded by artists and scientists across the world.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying Krakatoa Eruption alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
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