The strongest volcanic eruption in the last 200 years is a matter of debate, as different metrics are used to measure volcanic explosivity. However, two contenders stand out:

1. Tambora (1815):

* Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 7

* Estimated death toll: 71,000-92,000

* Global impact: Caused a "year without a summer" in 1816 due to massive sulfur dioxide emissions.

2. Krakatoa (1883):

* VEI: 6

* Estimated death toll: 36,417

* Global impact: Generated a sound heard over 3,100 miles away and caused a global tsunami.

While Tambora has a higher VEI, Krakatoa's eruption was exceptionally loud and destructive. Both eruptions caused significant global impacts.

It's important to note that the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is a logarithmic scale, so a VEI 7 eruption is ten times more powerful than a VEI 6 eruption. However, the specific effects of an eruption can be influenced by factors beyond just the VEI, such as the location of the volcano and the prevailing winds.