Anak Krakatau-triggered Tsunami Kills Hundreds

The overall death toll has risen to 281, with more than 1,000 people injured.

By IndraStra Global News Team

Image Attribute: The Anak Krakatau volcano is seen December 23, during an eruption in the Sunda Strait in South Lampung, Indonesia / Source: ANTARA FOTO

On December 22, 2018, Anak Krakatau (the “Son of Krakatau”), an active volcano situated between Java and Sumatra, triggered a tsunami in Indonesia which resulted in the death of hundreds. The overall death toll has risen to 281,  57 are missing, with more than 1,000 people injured 57 and 11,687 have been displaced. The desperate search for survivors ramped up.

On December 23 (the next day), it was confirmed via satellite data and helicopter footage that the southwest sector of the volcano had collapsed (as seen in above photo), which triggered the tsunami, and the main conduit is now erupting from underwater producing Surtseyan-style activity.

The volcanic island has been particularly active since June, occasionally sending massive plumes of ash high into the sky and in October a tour boat was nearly hit by lava bombs from the erupting volcano. It is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park which is situated at the westernmost tip of Java, within Banten province of Indonesia.

Video Attribute: The video shows Vulcanian / strombolian activity at Anak Krakatau, filmed from nearby Rakata Island, a remnant of the volcanic structure in existence before the devastating 1883 eruption. Dated: October 15, 2018 / Source: IndraStra Global's Youtube Channel

"The number of victims and damage will continue to rise," said  Indonesia’s disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. He further added, "The tsunami was caused by an undersea landslide resulting from volcanic activity on Anak Krakatau and was exacerbated by abnormally high tide because of the current full moon".

Here are the few images captured during the ongoing rescue mission at Carita in Banten province of Indonesia (Viewer discretion advised);

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

The History of Anak Krakatoa

When Anak Krakatau erupted on August 27, 1883, it shot a column of ash more than 12 miles (approx. 20 km) into the air in a series of powerful explosions that were heard in Australia and up to 2,800 miles (approx. 4,500 km) away near Mauritius. The tsunami triggered by the eruption killed more than 36,000 people in one of the world’s worst natural disasters. Since then Anak Krakatau's cone has continued to grow, and it's currently standing at an elevation of about 300 m above the sea.