Krakatoa volcano eruption Oct 2018: dangerous vulcanian explosion from close
On 17 Oct, explosions were particularly violent at Anak Krakatau. We show a series of images of a spectacular explosion captured from close range by boat. 2 months later, the cone of Anak Krakatau collapsed into the sea on the evening of 22 Dec 2018, triggering a
catastrophic tsunami (more info).
Continued activity that accumulated more and more weight on the cone, built on top of a steep underwater slope in the SW (left in the images), and shaking by explosions like this might well have been the final trigger for that tragic event.
Very strong explosions occur during the morning of 17 Oct, sometimes sending blocks into the sea. (P... [
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Perhaps the most powerful explosion during our 6-days stay was this one at 11:59 local time on 17 Oc... [
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Ash plume rising approx. 3 km above Anak Krakatau. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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A larger rockfall occurs after a quiet period that had lasted several hours, announcing something wa... [
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A laterally directed explosion starts from a location immediately beneath the southern rim at 16:12 ... [
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The dense eruption column quickly expands and starts to collapse on its sides. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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The dense eruption column partially collapses into small pyroclastic flows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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The collapsing margins of the eruption columns develop small pyroclastic flows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [
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The same eruption seconds later. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Bombs start to land on the slopes of the cone. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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While the top part of the eruption plume continues to rise vertically. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Soon, almost all of the cone's flanks is covered by impacts of falling bombs. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Very large blocks were ejected and roll down the slopes along with fingers of ash. (Photo: Tom Pfeif... [
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On 17 Oct, explosions were particularly violent at Anak Krakatau. We show a series of images of a sp... [
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At this point, we start to realize that our position is not safe at all... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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Two months later, the whole cone collapses! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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The place shown here no longer exists. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [
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An impressive ash plume gradually rises to several hundred meters, to reach 2-3 km. (Photo: Tom Pfei... [
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On 22 Dec 2018, continued eruptions of Anak Krakatau had accumulated too much weight on the cone, wh... [
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A second, weaker pulse of eruption follows while the ash plume from the explosion still rises furthe... [
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After having gained some distance with the boat, a very wide angle lens is needed to capture the ash... [
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Smaller explosions follow the main event, merging with the still rising ash plume. (Photo: Tom Pfeif... [
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After half an hour, the ash plume from this eruption can still be seen drifting in the western sky. ... [
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Comparison of the summit crater before the explosion and after - it has occurred from a point high o... [
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Eruption video
Participant on our
Krakatau Volcano Special tour managed to capture this extraordinary explosion, which involved a small lateral blast, by video. The video has gone viral since it was first published. It shows a place that now no longer exists: two months later, the cone collapsed into the sea and caused a deadly tsunami that hit Java's west coast. An event like this might well have been a final trigger for this to happen.
