Global science: the eruption of Krakatau.
The eruption of the volcano Krakatau in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia) in 1883 had worldwide impact. This was perceived in the three quite different types of global propagation that occurred after the eruption: a rapid pressure wave, noticeable only to measuring instruments, followed a few hours later by the spread of the news of the event, succeeded by a slowly expanding optical phenomenon that lasted for a couple of years. Krakatau was the first natural catastrophe of global magnitude that was almost immediately recognized as such throughout the world, largely thanks to the recently installed worldwide telegraphic network.
Dörries
Matthias
M
Université Louis Pasteur, IRIST, 7, rue de l'Université, 67000 Strasbourg, France. doerries@noos.fr
D001272:Atmosphere; D003146:Communications Media / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D007214:Indonesia; D038622:Internationality / Q000266:history; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions / Q000266:history*