Krakatoa, the Indonesian volcano that erupted so violently in 1883, produced many recorded effects that are frequently used as yardsticks when discussing the
Krakatoa
possible consequences of similar events in the past, particularly the second millennium BC destruction of Thera, a leading contender in the Atlantis stakes.
The Krakatoan eruption had a detrimental effect on global climates for some years. Earlier in the century the eruption of Tambora, also in Indonesia, was even more powerful(a). However, the most powerful eruption of the last two million years also took place in Indonesia 74,000 years ago, when Mt. Toba erupted with devastating consequences for the Indian sub-continent and further afield(b). The Toba caldera is now Lake Toba.
The Theran eruption was equivalent to Krakatoa when measured according to a volcanic explosivity index (VEI), based on quantitative criteria, as discussed in Walter Friedrich’s book on Thera[428].
Today, when we watch the 20th century eruption of Mt. St. Helens or the Montserrat volcanoes on our televisions, it gives no real notion of the incredible power of these events or the absolute terror that was experienced by those living close by.
(a) http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp8/question389.html
(b) http://rupert-taylor.suite101.com/did-the-eruption-of-mount-toba-almost-wipe-out-humans-a317842
