Interesting comparative table, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tambora
(scroll down)
Krakatau’s VEI was 6, however, it’s ash column went up to an astonishing 80 km. Tambora was “only” 43 km. Also, it appears Krakatau was heard much further away.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1883_eruption_of_Krakatoa
Reading further, I found that duration of the explosion is a factor in determining VEI.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_Explosivity_Index
My guess is that the peak intensity of the explosions at Krakatau was higher than at Tambora, but Tambora’s bursts were more sustained, ejecting more material in total.
My question to that Professor would have been. When the vent system lines up correctly, do they erupt? No doubt those volcanoes vent system might be out of line because of the land mass movements? When I say vent systems I mean weaker down areas from the Peaks where the rock is easily fractured to allow magma to come up. He might answer that if that were the case then there would be a new appearance of a vent someplace else, but, do they know that the rock aside from the original vent systems might be harder and all.
BTW again..the 1883 eruption of Krakatowa-thats how they spelled it by some back then. Was the most studied of any by that time. The Brits really did a hell of a fine job with that.
Krakatau studies by the Brits is truly the father of modern volcanism studies.
The last big eruption of the Long Valley volcano erupted over 100 cubic miles. It is now listed at the USGS as a very high risk of exploding. But, since that eruption there have been many smaller eruptions there. Same with Yellowstone.
Point is..even if they do blow, it most likely will be a VEI 5 or 6 and not the massive blast from the past. Depends on how many vents are opened up.