344 ELEMENTARY GEOLOGY 
the sea. Here the finer portions floated about in the upper air 
currents, passing entirely around the earth, and causing brilliant 
sunsets in both Europe and America. To a distance of 150 miles 
from the eruption, the day was darkened. 
~ The division of the volcano into two parts, left water on the 
site of half the island; and this change produced such a disturb- 
ance in the water, that a great ocean earthquake wave was formed, 
which, rushing upon the neighboring coast, and flooding it to a 
height fully 100 feet above the average sea-level, caused an 
appalling loss of life. This wave extended as far as the coasts 
Fic. 208. 
The island of Krakatoa, seen from two sides, after the eruption. 
of America, Africa, and Australia, having passed over a distance 
of more that 5000 miles.. At these distant points the wave was 
low, but still was a disturbance of the water, which could be 
detected by tide gauges. — 
Some of the ash, upon falling back on the cone, covered the 
entire surface to such a depth that all forms of life were utterly 
exterminated, so that a new vegetation has been obliged to develop 
upon the island. Vast quantities of the ash also fell upon the 
neighboring sea, and floated about in such masses that for weeks 
navigation near the voleano was difficult. This ash, drifting on 
the ocean surface, either slowly disintegrated or became water- 
