Krakatau's strongest eruption since 2018 occurs, shoots ash 15 km skywards
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
An Indonesian volcano has just experienced its strongest eruption since crumbling in 2018, according to a NASA scientist .
Anak Krakatau, which erupted starting Friday night and continued into Saturday morning local time, sent columns of ash 15 kilometres into the air. It is considered to be the longest explosion since its destructive collapse in 2018.
Krakatau is a volcanic island between Java and Sumatra situated in the Indonesian province of Lampung. While there were no fatalities reported, it prompted a level two alert status, the second-highest on a scale of four, remaining in place.
Dr. Kayla Lacovino, a NASA volcanologist, tweeted Friday night on the eruption as it was happening.
"Krakatoa volcano is erupting RIGHT NOW! This explosive eruption is producing strong lava fountaining and is the strongest eruption since the 2018 event," she said. "This is a big eruption for this volcano, but there is no reason to lose sleep."
The volcano was responsible for triggering a deadly tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java in 2018, killing 430 people. The eruption was so violent, the volcano is now only a quarter of its previous size , reducing the severity of any future tsunami.
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The silver lining of explosions like this and in 2018 is they help prevent events like the catastrophic explosion of Krakatau in 1883 which caused massive tidal waves, killed approx. 36,000 people and was heard 3000 kms away
Correction 3000 miles (4800 kms) away
Yes, that is a silver lining. If I remember correctly that 1883 explosion was the largest ever recorded.
You remember correctly, measured at a 310 decibels (for reference the Hiroshima atomic bomb was 248 decibels)
Wow, I never knew that! I can't imagine that moment for those near by.
Here's another bit of trivia: It takes around 185-200 decibels to cause death, depending on how close you are. 150 decibels is enough to burst your eardrums. Exploding volcanos is like nature's sonic weapon.
Nor can any of us
You must be far older than I imagined.
Actually I wasn't born yet. If I remember correctly I was born somewhere around 1897 and 1899. My day told me all about the explosion.