August 17, 1883, marked the biggest volcanic explosion the modern world ever witnessed. The island of Krakatau, once rising 1,400 feet from the ocean, literally blew apart and ended up 850 feet below sea level.
The blast was estimated to be the equivalent of 21,000 atomic bombs.
It was heard nearly 3,000 miles away. Tsunamis, 120 feet high, carried ships over a mile ashore. Pyroclastic flows of unbelievably hot ash and rock hit speeds of 60 mph and traveled out over 24 miles, instantly incinerating ships and villages.
People who escaped the devastating tsunamis were likely hit minutes later by these flows and killed as they stood upon high ground, thinking they had escaped.
The final death toll was over 36,000.
