Before its cataclysmic eruption in 1883, Krakatau was an imposing mountain, standing approximately 6,000 feet above sea level. This volcanic island, located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra, held a relatively dormant stance for over two centuries. The northern volcano, Perbuatan, was the first to awaken in May 1883 after a long period of inactivity.
The initial signs of activity in May 1883 marked the beginning of one of the most violent volcanic events in recorded history. On August 26-27, 1883, Krakatau experienced Volcanian eruptions. These eruptions are characterized by intermittent or continuous violent explosions that send dark plumes of steam, gases, and ash several kilometers into the sky. The eruptions also involved the extrusion of viscous magma, contributing to the catastrophic nature of the event.
The sheer force of the eruptions obliterated the entire top of the mountain and much of its structure below sea level. This immense explosion created a vast four-mile-wide caldera, fundamentally altering the landscape of the region. The impact of the eruption was felt worldwide, with atmospheric effects observed as far as Europe and North America. The explosion and subsequent tsunamis caused immense devastation, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives and significant changes in global climate patterns.
Geographically, the Krakatau islands are situated roughly equidistant from Java and Sumatra, approximately 40 km and 30 km away, respectively. Prior to the catastrophic events of 1883, little was known about these islands. Historical records indicate that they were covered in dense forests and had been largely dormant since the 1680 eruption until May 1883.
Remarkably, life began to reclaim Krakatau shortly after the eruption. The first recorded sign of life post-eruption was a spider, observed by an expedition in 1884. By 1886, surveys documented the presence of beach plants, mosses, blue-green algae, ferns, and a few higher plants. This rapid recolonization continued, and by 1897, Rakata, one of the Krakatau islands, supported young trees interspersed with tall, dense grasslands and an abundance of ferns.
Today, Krakatau supports a diverse array of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna, including bats, birds, snakes, lizards, rats, crabs, scorpions, spiders, beetles, butterflies, ants, and termites. The interior forests of the Krakatau islands continue to evolve, with new species of higher plants accruing and the balance of species in the canopy shifting significantly since 1979.
Fig trees, a critical component of tropical forests, present an interesting case in the colonization of Rakata. These trees, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance, have become a major part of the forest flora. Seventeen fig species are found on Rakata, Panjang, and Sertung, making up nearly two-thirds of the total number of tree species in the area. This highlights the dynamic and ongoing process of ecological recovery and species diversification on Krakatau.
In summary, the eruption of Krakatau in 1883 not only reshaped the physical landscape but also set the stage for a fascinating study of ecological resilience and recovery. The islands' transformation from barren ash-covered land to thriving ecosystems exemplifies nature's incredible capacity for regeneration.
Krakatau 1883: Catastrophe and Ecological Rebirth
