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August 30, 2005
Social Studies Lesson # 5 -A Land of Fire, Destruction and Rebirth
Two of the world’s greatest historic eruptions occurred in Indonesia in the 1800s-one at Kraktau and the other at Tambora (see Indonesia Journal update). Krakatau, located between Java and Sumatra, is today only one third of its original size. Its eruption in August of 1883, lasted 24 hours, killed over 36,000 people and was heard more than 4000km away. Most people were killed in the tsunami which swept people, animals and even steamships several kilometers inland. This killer wave was up to 40m high and hit the coasts of both Java and Sumatra. Over 300 towns and villages were simply erased. Tremors were felt as far away as the English Channel and off the coast of Alaska. Fine ash particles from the eruption circled the earth in the atmosphere for the next two years, creating psychedelic sunsets and lowering the earth’s temperature. Today, Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) is a growing infant island surrounded by what remains of the older peaks. It sits smoking angrily and is the visual evidence of one of the most destructive events in recorded history.
Lesson Activities:
• Create a list of the world’s most famous volcanic eruptions. Include their dates and locations, listing them in a table.
• While volcanoes can cause mass destruction, they also have a positive impact on the land and people. Investigate how ecosystems and wildlife can benefit from this most active form of nature.
Posted by barb at August 30, 2005 4:22 AM
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