At Least 20 Killed By Today’s ‘Volcano Tsunami’ In Indonesia

Sad news from the happiest place on earth. 

Today Indonesia’s Sundra Strait was struck by a tsunami, leaving at least 20 people dead, another 165 injured, and dozens of buildings damaged by the tectonically-formed wave. 

While the tsunami’s cause has not officially been determined, it’s believed that an eruption from Anak Krakatoa, a volcano between the islands of Java and Sumatra, sparked an underground landslide that triggered a tsunami-forming earthquake. 

Anak Krakatoa has been extremely active in recent months, including eruptions this July, August, and today’s 72-second spout.

The July 2018 eruption.

Volcanic eruptions and other tectonic activity are not uncommon in Indonesian archipelago, which resides in a geological region referred to as the “Ring of Fire”. 

According to the BBC, “In September, more than 2,000 people died when a powerful earthquake struck just off the central island of Sulawesi, setting off a tsunami that engulfed the coastal city of Palu.”

It is recommended that people in the area stay at least two kilometers from Krakatoa until otherwise advised.