One hundred twenty years ago, an Indonesian volcano named Krakatoa erupted, killing 36,000 people within hours, thus becoming the second deadliest volcanic eruption in Earth's history.
WJXT examines this historic event in a 30-minute local documentary special, "Krakatoa: Mountain of Fire," airing Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.
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Hosted by Channel 4 meteorologist Brad Nitz, "Krakatoa: Mountain of Fire" looks back at that terrifying day in 1883, and also examines how volcanoes develop.
"Krakatoa: Mountain of Fire" includes many surprises such as the cause of most Krakatoa's victims deaths (it wasn't due to lava, falling rocks, or hot ash); how lava develops (it doesn't just come up from the center of the Earth); and the special beverage that volcano researchers are using to help understand bubble growth in lava. The show also examines the volcano risk here in America, and whether or not these monster eruptions can be forecasted.
"The magnitude of the cataclysmic Krakatoa explosion is almost beyond comprehension," Nitz said. "The eruption was heard nearly 3,000 miles away, which would be like an explosion in Miami being heard clearly in Seattle. In fact, barometers worldwide recorded the atmospheric pressure wave seven times as it traveled around the planet."
In addition, News4Jax has produced a stunning interactive element of "Krakatoa: Mountain of Fire." Click Here.