Final answer:
The claim that the 1883 Krakatau Volcano eruption killed more than 36,000 people is true. Official death toll records cite approximately 36,417 deaths, but estimates range up to 120,000. The eruption caused global climatic impacts and was one of many catastrophic geological events related to subduction zones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The collapse and eruption of Krakatau Volcano in 1883 is indeed one of the most catastrophic volcanic events in recorded history, resulting in a significant death toll. The statement that the disaster killed more than 36,000 people is true. Official records document approximately 36,417 deaths, although local sources suggest the fatalities may have been as high as 120,000. The eruption had profound global impacts, causing weather patterns to be disrupted for years and leading to a decrease in global temperatures.
The volcano, also known as Krakatoa, sits between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Its eruption was characterized by massive shockwaves that circled the globe multiple times and an ash plume that rose approximately 50 miles into the atmosphere. Krakatoa's violent past serves as a reminder of the powerful and sometimes devastating natural phenomena that result from subduction zones, like the nearby Sunda Trench, where tectonic plates converge and one plate is forced below another.
In the broader context of geological hazards, subduction zones are known for their potential to spawn destructive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Historical events such as the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and the 2011 Tohoku earthquake in Japan are other notable examples from subduction zones that had severe consequences and high casualties.