The eruption of Krakatoa (Krakatau) in 1883 was one of the deadliest and most destructive events in recorded history and the explosion could be heard almost 2000 miles away. Such was the ferocity of the volcano that the sound waves from the explosion travelled around the world seven times. Ash from the eruption was present in the Earth’s atmosphere for many years afterwards and produced a range of natural phenomena that inspired artists around the world. Vivid red sunsets were seen across Europe and noctilucent clouds (the illumination of ice crystals high in the atmosphere during twilight) were recorded for the first time.

This book is the 1888 report on the eruption and subsequent meteorological phenomena published by the committee established in Britain to study the events. The report was edited by the meteorologist George James Symonds and contained a frontispiece showing views of phenomena observed in London by the artist William Ascroft.