Anak Krakatau, "Child of Krakatau," is the fourth and youngest island of the Krakatau group. The first sub-sea eruptions began in 1927, and after three failed attempts to establish itself above the waves, Anak Krakatau IV finally formed a small but permanent presence right in the center of the group on August 11, 1930. Since then, the child has grown and grown, recently overtaking two of the other three islands in height. Why did it emerge in this central location? To explain this, we need to examine something of the history and context of the Krakatau island group.