What is the farthest distance away that a volcano has been heard erupting?
Janet
Dear Janet,
The 1883 eruption of Krakatau volcano, between the islands of Sumatra and
Java in Indonesia, was heard by the people on Rodriguez Island 2,908
miles (4,653 km) to the west-southwest. (As a reference, the United
States is about 2,600 miles (4,100 km) across). Rodriguez Island is
about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) east of Madagascar. The people said it
sounded like the distant roar of heavy guns and that it continued at
intervals of three to four hours during the night.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
Source of information:
Simkin, T., and Fiske, R.S., Krakatau 1883: The volcanic eruption and its
effects: Smithsonian Institution Press: Washington, D.C., 464 p.