Indonesia tsunami

This item appears on page 16 of the February 2019 issue.

A tsunami caused by the eruption and collapse into the sea of the volcano Anak Krakatau hit sites on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java on Dec. 22, killing at least 430 people and injuring more than 1,500 others. At press time, more than 159 people were still missing. Because the tsunami was not caused by an earthquake, it occurred without warning.

It was recommended that anyone in the region avoid coastal areas during the duration of the eruption, which was ongoing at press time, as more tsunamis could occur.

Anak Krakatau means "Son of Krakatoa" in Malay. It is the remains of Krakatoa, which exploded in 1883 in the Sunda Strait, directly between Sumatra and Java, in one of the largest volcanic eruptions on record.