Early in September, Anak Krakatau erupted in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. It sent large quantities of ash into the atmosphere and disrupted flights, including at Jakarta. The episode was a timely reminder that the volcanoes I had encountered in Indonesia and elsewhere were not merely part of history or scenery. They remain very much alive and dangerous.
Born in Punjab and having studied in Rajasthan, Kolkata, and New Delhi, I knew little about volcanoes beyond textbook theories. India has very few active volcanoes; Barren Island in the Andamans is the only confirmed active one. However, stories of volcanoes from across the world often entered my consciousness through legend, literature, and current events. I knew there were books written about volcanoes and their consequences, but I had never actually encountered one.
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