The Krakatau Eruption in 1883: Its Implications for the Spatial Distribution of Population in Java

We investigate the impact of the Krakatau eruption in August 1883 on the spatial distribution of population across residencies in Java. The analysis is based on historical data of the indigenous population at residency level covering the period from 1880 to 1928. Based on our empirical analysis we conclude that the Krakatau eruption had no permanent impact on the spatial distribution of the population across regions in Java. The evidence gives support to the locational fundamentals theory.