A series of large waves generated by the main
explosion killed more than 36,000 people. Some
of these waves were nearly 40 meters (more than
120 feet) tall. These large waves were observed
as far away as the English Channel.
Fine ashes from the Krakatoa eruption were
carried by winds as far away as New York City.
That was half the world away. The explosion was
heard more than 3,000 miles away. Volcanic dust
blew into the upper air affecting Earth’s weather
for several years.
1883 cover of the London
Volcanic Eruptions
Avalanches
Blizzards and Hailstorms
Droughts and Famines
Earthquakes
Floods
Major Storms
Tidal Waves
Natural disasters are extreme, sudden
events caused by nature. These events
injure people and damage property.
Earthquakes, windstorms, floods, and
disease all strike anywhere on earth,
often without warning. On this Web
site, you can read about disasters that
have occurred around the world
throughout history.
Natural Disasters
If you click on Volcanic Eruptions,
this is what you get.
News newspaper.
The island of Krakatoa
as it looks today.
Below: Krakatoa after
the eruption.
Above: Krakatoa prior
to the eruption.
On August 26, 1883, the island volcano of
Krakatoa in Indonesia exploded. The eruption
was one of the worst natural disasters in
recorded history. The effects were experienced
all over the world.
Volcanic Eruptions
Writing Across Texts Write a paragraph about what
you learned from each selection.
Both selections you have read tell how powerful
volcanoes can be. Think about what you learned from
the print selection and the Internet selection.
Reading Across Texts
Read more slowly if you don’t understand.
Monitor and Fix Up
When you click on the link, you might see a computer
screen such as this:
LessonTOC
PrintResources
