Why did Krakatau erupt and what makes it the biggest eruption in recent history?

rocky Adam

Dear Adam,

Krakatau erupted because the pressure inside the magma chamber was greater than the weight of the overlying rocks.

The 180 A.D. eruption of Taupo in New Zealand is thought to be the most powerful historic eruption.

Krakatau was a large eruption. It was heard 4,000 km away and killed 36,000 people.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota 

Other Categories        Other Questions

To VolcanoWorld