DISASTERS - KRAKATAU

THE WORD

DISASTERS

Krakatau
  The volcanic eruption of Indonesia's Krakatau island on 27 August 1883 was the most violent explosion in history --  up to 10,000 times the power of the first atomic bomb. The shock the entire planet and circled the globe seven times. The sound of the explosion sounded like the roar of heavy guns to people nearly 3,000km away and ash fell worldwide.
Tides of Destruction
  Krakatau was uninhabited, but 36,380 people on the surrounding islands were killed. Many were buried under millions of tonnes of burning rocks and ash hurled out by the blast. But most died in the 160 villages that were deluged by giant waves set off by the explosion. Tides cause by the waves snapped the anchor chains of ships moored at ports in Chile, on the far side of the world.
 
The Biggest Bang in History 

    The huge explosion was herd over one-twelfth of the surface of the Earth. Travelling at the speed of sound it too two or more hours to reach Australia and Thailand - and four hours it was heard on the island of Rodriguez 4800 m to the west.