Pumice from Krakatoa (Krakatau)

BGS sample: MR17778

This pumice was taken from the deck of the ship "Charles Bal" after the eruption of Krakatoa.

Krakatoa (or more correctly Krakatau) is in the Sundra Strait between Java and Sumatra. The eruption of 1883 was one of the most violent volcanic events in recorded history.

In an interview in The Atlantic Monthly, Captain Watson who was in command of the "Charles Bal" recalled:

"At five the roaring noise continued and was increasing; darkness spread over the sky, and a hail of pumice stone fell on us, of which many pieces were of considerable size and quite warm. We were obliged to cover up the skylights to save the glass, while our feet and heads had to be protected with boots and sou-westers. About six the fall of larger stones ceased, but there continued a steady downpour of a smaller kind, most blinding to the eyes, and covering the deck to a depth of three or four inches very speedily”

Andrew L Morrison

Eruption of Etna, August 1892

BGS image: P711317

The eruption of Mount Etna has been in the news recently, and here is a photograph of the eruption on the flank of Etna 9th August 1892, 120 years ago. This was one of a series from July to September 1892 that gave rise to the Monti Silvestri crater row. 

Presented by Professor G. Platania of Aci Reale, Sicily. Photograph held in the BGS Archives, Keyworth. Archive reference GSM/GX/Pa/1.

Bob McIntosh