The archipelago of Krakatau, situated in the Rajabasa District of the South Lampung Regency, is a well-known active volcanic region located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. This volcanic complex is also named after its highest peak. The most recent eruption of Krakatau took place on February 3, 2022, and it stands at an impressive height of 813 meters. It is worth noting that this height is relative and can be considered significant within the province of Lampung. Krakatau is classified as a volcanic caldera and is positioned in the Sunda Strait, specifically in Rajabasa, South Lampung.
Krakatau gained worldwide recognition due to its tremendously powerful eruption in 1883. The resulting pyroclastic flows and tsunamis caused the tragic loss of approximately 36,000 lives. Until December 26, 2004, this tsunami held the record as the most devastating one in the Indian Ocean region. The sound of the eruption was even heard as far as Alice Springs, Australia, and Rodrigues Island near Africa, spanning a distance of 4,653 kilometers. The explosive force of the eruption was estimated to be equivalent to 30,000 atomic bombs detonated in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.
The eruption of Krakatau had a significant impact on global climate. The volcanic ash emitted during the eruption caused a temporary darkness that enveloped the world for two and a half days. The atmosphere remained dimmed for up to a year, affecting sunlight and subsequently altering weather patterns. The scattering of volcanic dust particles was observed in the skies from Norway to New York, showcasing the far-reaching consequences of this cataclysmic event.
Is Mount Krakatoa possible to climb?
Since 2011, tourists have not been able to climb to the summit due to the volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau which is still active. Tourists can only climb up to a height of about 200 meters, which can be reached within 30-45 minutes to the last climbing post.
Climbing to the summit of Mount Krakatau is restricted for safety reasons, as the volcanic activity poses a risk to climbers. The limited height that tourists can reach still allows for a unique and memorable experience, providing a glimpse of the stunning landscape surrounding the volcano.
While the restrictions may limit the full climbing experience, tourists can still enjoy the adventure of hiking up to a certain height on Mount Krakatau. It is important to adhere to the regulations in place to ensure the safety of visitors and to protect the natural environment of the volcano.
How to get to Mount Krakatau?
To reach Mount Krakatau, there are three different routes you can take.
The first route starts from Jakarta, where you will need to cross the sea using a ferry from Merak Port to Bakauheuni. Once you arrive at Bakauheuni, there is land transportation available to take you to Canti Port in Kalianda.
There is a passenger ship that operates once a day on the Canti-Pulau Sebesi route, specifically at 13:00. On the opposite route, Pulau Sebesi-Canti, the ship departs at 07:00. Upon reaching Pulau Sebesi, you can stay overnight at a local resident's house before continuing your journey with a rented motorboat to the Krakatau islands.
The second route is a bit fishy, as you will need to rent a motorboat from the Fish Landing Port in Kalianda, South Lampung. The fare can be negotiated, depending on how long you want to rent the boat. Alternatively, the third route is through Anyer Port in Banten. With this route, you don't need to cross to Bakauheuni from Jakarta. However, this route is more expensive as the distance is longer. If you plan to bring heavy equipment such as a compressor and diving gear, then this route is more suitable for you.
Third Route: Via Anyer. If you choose this route, you can skip the hassle of crossing to Bakauheni and head straight to the Anyer Port in Banten from Jakarta. Although this route may be more costly compared to others, it offers the advantage of a shorter travel time. Additionally, if you are planning to bring bulky equipment like compressors and diving gear, this route is more suitable for you.
Unique and Interesting Facts about Mount Krakatau to visit
Scientists previously believed that Anak Krakatau would only threaten again if it reached a similar height to its mother, namely 800 meters above sea level. However, the events of December 22 2018 broke that opinion. The child of Mount Krakatau spewed powerful lava and caused a tsunami when its height was far below Mount Krakatau.
At that time, the height of Mount Anak Krakatau was recorded at 338 meters above sea level. But in fact, the terrible eruption of Mount Krakatoa in August 1883 was truly unmatched. The following are the terrible facts about Mount Krakatoa when it erupted in 1883, summarized from various sources.
1. The Deadliest Eruption in Modern History
The Live Science page states that the eruption of Mount Krakatau was the deadliest eruption in modern history. Many died from explosive materials and the tsunami that followed the volcano's collapse into the caldera below sea level.
It is estimated that more than 36,000 people lost their lives. The eruption also affected the climate and caused temperatures to drop around the world. In May 1883, the captain of the German warship Elizabeth reported seeing clouds and volcanic ash above Krakatoa Peak.
The height of the clouds and volcanic ash reached more than 6 miles (equivalent to 9.6 kilometers). Over the next two months, commercial vessels and chartered tourist boats that frequently visited the strait reported hearing thunderous sounds and the presence of glowing clouds.
2. Triggered a Tsunami 120 Feet High
Tephra or volcanic rock fragments and hot volcanic gas caused many victims, especially in West Java and Sumatra, but thousands of others were killed by a tsunami as high as 129 feet or the equivalent of 36 meters.
The tsunami flooded nearby small islands. Residents on the coasts of Java and Sumatra fled to higher ground. A total of 165 villages on the coast were destroyed. The steamship Berouw was swept almost a mile inland in Sumatra, and its entire crew of 28 people died. However, another ship, the Loudon, managed to survive the tsunami.
The ship's captain, Lindemann, was able to reverse its course to face the giant waves, and the ship was able to ride the crest of the wave. Looking back, the crew and passengers saw nothing left of the town where they had previously docked.
3. Makes the sky dark up to 442 kilometers
The explosion of Mount Krakatoa threw about 11 cubic miles (equivalent to 45 cubic kilometers) of debris into the atmosphere, darkening the sky up to 275 miles (or 442 kilometers) from the center of the explosion.
In the surrounding area, the sun was not visible for three days because the sky was dark. The eruption of Mount Krakatoa also caused global temperatures to average 1.2 degrees cooler for the next five years after the eruption.
4. The emergence of Mount Anak Krakatau
Mount Anak Krakatau began to grow on January 20 1930, the result of the eruption of Mount Krakatau.According to the website of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Krakatau complex consists of four islands, Rakata, Sertung, Panjang and Anak Krakatau. The first three islands are remnants of the caldera formation.
Meanwhile, Anak Krakatau emerged as a result of a compilation eruption on June 11, 1927 with an alkaline magma composition in the center of the Krakatau complex. Born as a result of eruptions, Anak Krakatau grew bigger and taller.
Since its birth until 2000, Anak Krakatau has erupted more than 100 times, both explosively and effusively. In some of these eruptions, generally the eruption point always moves around the body of the cone. The rest period is between 1 and 8 years and once every 4 years there is an eruption of ash and lava.
5. The eruption of Krakatoa is known from Dutch geologists
Verbeek was a Dutch geologist living in Java who had conducted geological research around the Mount Krakatoa area in the years before its devastating eruption. After the eruption in 1883, he traveled to the affected areas.
He collected eyewitness reports and personally observed the destruction wrought by the volcano. His 550 page report was published by the Dutch East Indies government in 1885. The data and research in it also helped spark the beginnings of modern volcanology.
6. 1883 was not the first eruption
Quoting from the History Hit page, Krakatoa was inactive for more than 200 years when it erupted in 1883. However, previous records show the mountain has been known as 'Mountain Fire' by Javanese people for centuries.
Several hypotheses say that Mount Krakatoa erupted violently in the 6th century, causing global climate change. In 1680, Dutch sailors reported seeing Mount Krakatoa erupt and pick up large pieces of pumice, and evidence of lava flows has since been discovered in the 19th century.