The Krakatoa volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia, began erupting in May 1883. This initial phase of volcanic activity included numerous explosions and the ejection of ash, which signaled the impending catastrophic eruption that would occur three months later. The situation escalated dramatically by August, when a series of colossal explosions tore apart the volcano, creating a force that was heard thousands of miles away. The eruption produced tsunamis with waves reaching heights of over 30 meters, devastating coastal communities and leading to the deaths of more than 36,000 people. The explosions also resulted in the complete destruction of the island of Krakatoa itself, which had previously been a lush and inhabited locale. The environmental effects were horrendous, causing the climate to cool temporarily and resulting in unusual weather patterns around the world. The spectacle of the eruption and resulting tsunamis captured the attention of the global community, with reports of vivid sunsets and atmospheric changes eliciting both fear and fascination.