Does growth of Anak Krakatoa volcano mean history will repeat itself?

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Krakatoa is that it has already spawned another volcano that is 1,500 feet high. It is a stark and visible reminder of the power of natural forces.

Before 1883, Krakatoa was a small island between Java and Sumatra in the Indonesian archipelago. The massive eruption in 1883 obliterated the island of Krakatoa. Within days of the eruption, the mountain disappeared and the sea took its place. Yet within a matter of years, new explosions began spewing more lava. Repeately, hardened lava would begin to accumulate above the sea only to be destroyed by the waves.

By 1930, a fourth island appeared above Krakotoa's drowned caldera, and it continues to grow today. Rising at a rate of five inches per year, it smokes, gurgles and belches. Known as Anak Krakatoa, or child of Krakatoa, geologic principles tell us it is bound to explode again.

The Indonesian government has installed monitoring equipment on Anak Krakatoa. A monitoring station has been built on the west coast of Java, within line of sight of Anak Krakatoa. The hope is that the monitoring equipment will give human society more advance notice when Anak Krakatoa is ready to erupt compared to father Krakatoa's eruption. All the equipment in the world can't stop the eruption.

Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country. It is also a land of many volcanoes. No matter what the Koran says, many Indonesians believe in the ancient spiritis of volcanoes. It will be interesting to see how Indonesians react spiritually if and when Anak Krakatoa erupts.