The Indonesian volcano Anak Krakatau erupted Friday, spewing a large plume of ash 9 miles into the air.
At approximately 11 p.m. local time, the volcano’s loud eruption was reportedly heard by people in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, located more than 90 miles away. Images taken from a webcam near the area show lava flowing from the volcano.
The strong eruption is believed to be the most forceful since December 2018, when it produced a deadly tsunami that killed over 400 people on the coasts of southeastern Sumatra and western Java.
Anak Krakatau, which translates to “the child of Krakatoa,” was formed after Krakatoa erupted in 1883 with a massive explosion 10,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The eruption killed approximately 36,000 people, destroyed hundreds of villages, and ash traveled as far as Europe. Later studies show that eruption likely lowered global temperatures for years.
CORRECTION: In a previous version of this story, the Washington Examiner referred to the newer island of Anak Krakatau as the older island of Krakatoa, much of which collapsed in the 1883 eruption. The Washington Examiner regrets the error.
