The violent eruption of Krakatoa Volcano located in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia, in 1883 represents one of the deadliest eruptions in human civilization. Although lots of data have been reported, the trajectory of the subducted slab and the upper mantle structure beneath this volcano are still rather poorly known. We combined geochemical data, major, trace and rare earth elements with seismic tomograms to characterize the deep structure of Krakatoa Volcano at the junction of Sumatra and Java subduction systems. Geochemical data are in agreement with the partial melting of mantle wedge in these subduction systems, based on previous studies, and this conclusion is also supported by inferences from P-wave tomographic model. Whereas, the tomographic image of S-wave suggests that subducted slab has been intruded by hot material of mantle upwelling. The presence of both partial melting of mantle wedge and mantle upwelling in the upper mantle might be caused by the thinning of subducted slab beneath Krakatoa Volcano.

We use satellite imagery to investigate the shoreline changes associated with volcanic activity in 2018–2019 at Anak Krakatau, Indonesia, spanning a major lateral collapse and period of regrowth through explosive activity. The shoreline changes have been analyzed and validated through the adaptation of an existing methodology based on Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery and developed on Google Earth Engine. This work tests the results of this method in a highly dynamic volcanic environment and validates them with manually digitized shorelines. The analysis shows that the size of the Anak Krakatau Island increased from 2.84 km² to 3.19 km² during 15 May 2018–1 November 2019 despite the loss of area in the 22 December 2018 lateral collapse. The lateral collapse reduced the island area to ~1.5 km² but this was followed by a rapid increase in area in the first two months of 2019, reaching up to 3.27 km². This was followed by a period of little change as volcanic activity declined and then by a net decrease from May 2019 to 1 November 2019 that resulted from erosion on the SW side of the island. This history of post-collapse eruptive regrowth and coastal erosion derived from the shoreline changes illuminates the potential for satellite-based automated shoreline mapping to provide databases for monitoring remote island volcanoes.

Lava has complex geochemical characteristics based on differences in eruption centers, eruptive events, and flow emplacement. Characterization of lava is useful for understanding the geological conditions of a volcanic region. To complement geochemical methods, rock magnetic methods are being used to analyze lava. To explore the potential uses of rock magnetic methods for lava characterization, a series of magnetic measurements were completed in lava samples from eight locations in the Ijen Volcanic Complex (IVC) in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. These locations were grouped into two eruption centers: Ijen Crater and Mount Anyar. The magnetic measurements included frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility, thermomagnetic, anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM), isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM), and hysteresis curve analyses. These measurements were supplemented using X-ray fluorescence, petrography analyses, and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Based on their lithology, lava samples were categorized into basalt, basaltic andesite, and basaltic trachyandesite. The dominant magnetic mineral contained in the sample was iron-rich titanomagnetite and titanium-rich titanomagnetite with a magnetic pseudo-single-domain and small amounts of superparamagnetic grain minerals in some samples. The significant difference in mass specific susceptibility (χ_LF) is caused by differences in the crystallization process. The differences in susceptibility frequency dependence (χ_FD) highlighted the differences in the magma cooling rate, demonstrated by the differences in the percentage of opaque mineral groundmass. The rock magnetic method was proven to support the geochemistry and petrography methods used to characterize lava and identify the causes of differences in lava characteristics.

Understanding the evolution of magma storage conditions on volcanoes which have had more than one caldera-forming eruption (CFE) is important to know about past and present conditions, as a key to forecast future potential hazards. Krakatau volcano is characterized by cyclic phases of growth and destruction of the edifice. A volcanostratigraphic study identified three eruptive periods: Old Krakatau, Young Krakatau, and Anak Krakatau. The Old and Young Krakatau periods ended with the first and second CFE respectively. Due to its permanent activity and edifice evolution, Krakatau poses a high risk on the surrounding inhabited islands. In this study, we combined geochemistry, rock magnetic, and petrology to infer the evolution of magma storage conditions from Old to Anak Krakatau periods. This study is the first to report on the chemical and rock magnetic characteristics, as well as storage system conditions of Old Krakatau and its relation to the ongoing evolution of Krakatau. Our data show that: 1) Old and Young Krakatau magma storage regions are shallow (within the upper 3 km), contain more differentiated magmas, from which the Old Krakatau magmas may be less oxidized and had lower temperatures than Young Krakatau; 2) Anak Krakatau magma storage is deeper (up to 26 km), less differentiated, and erupted hotter but more reduced compared to Old and Young Krakatau. The Old and Young Krakatau lavas were the products of pre-CFE and their chemical characteristics are included at maturation phase, whereas the Young Krakatau pumice samples were the product of the second CFE. Lastly, the post-second CFE activity of AK is currently in an incubation phase and represented by mafic products of frequent and small eruptions. Knowing that the volcano has experienced maturation and CFE phases in the past, the current AK may evolve to those phases in the future.

The enigmatic major eruption in the late 16th century, believed to have originated from Raung, the most active stratovolcano in the Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark in East Java, Indonesia, has ignited significant debate among researchers and historians due to its profound impact on the region. This research aims to substantiate Raung as the likely source of the major eruption by integrating geological, archaeological, and historical data. This study synthesizes current findings and explores ongoing debates surrounding historical volcanic activities. Eruption parameters suggest that the late 16th century eruption exhibited a Plinian type, characterized by an explosive eruption column reaching the stratosphere, widespread pumiceous tephra fallout, and pyroclastic density current (PDC). Stratigraphic succession reveals that the eruption occurred in five phases, with deposits from 10 eruptive units. These deposits are mainly concentrated on the northwestern flank of Raung. Archaeological findings, historical records, and local legends converge to pinpoint the occurrence of this catastrophic event in the late 16th century. These diverse sources estimate that the eruption resulted in approximately 10,000 casualties, marking it as one of the most significant volcanic disasters in the past 500 years. The implications of this eruption extend beyond historical documentation, providing a critical case study for advancing disaster mitigation strategies through geotourism in the geopark area. Moreover, the eruption record outcrops identified in this study can be proposed as potential new geosites within the Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark, enhancing its educational and touristic value. We propose the Jebung Kidul, Alas Sumur, and Batu Sappar sites as potential disaster-based geosites, considering that these sites record the eruption process and preserve archaeological structures. This addition would not only commemorate the historical event but also promote awareness and preparedness for future volcanic activities in the region.