JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano erupted early Sunday, leading to the suspension of all flights at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport as volcanic ash spread across parts of western Indonesia. The eruption occurred at 3:53 a.m. and lasted for approximately 30 seconds, following signs of increased activity that were first noted the previous day.
The Indonesian Geological Agency reported no casualties or injuries related to the eruption, and no evacuation orders were issued. The nearest populated area is situated more than 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the volcano. However, residents and visitors have been advised to maintain a distance of at least 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Anak Krakatau's active crater due to safety concerns.
As a result of the volcanic activity, ash clouds drifted over a significant part of the capital, Jakarta, and the Lampung province located at the southern tip of Sumatra island. The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation confirmed that the ash spread affected several areas, prompting immediate responses from local authorities.
In light of the increased volcanic activity, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport announced a temporary suspension of flight operations from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Passengers at Indonesia's busiest airport faced disruptions as they sought refunds and retrieved their checked baggage, with departure boards displaying an increasing number of canceled flights as a result of the ash fallout.
The volcanic activity was closely monitored by Indonesia's volcanology agency as well as the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Australia. Analysis using satellite imagery identified two significant ash clouds emerging from the volcano. The first plume ascended to an altitude of 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and drifted northeast, impacting regions including Jakarta, Banten, and West Java, as well as surrounding waters.
The second ash cloud was reported to reach a remarkable altitude of 50,000 feet (15,200 meters), moving westward and northwestward, covering parts of Banten, Lampung, and Bengkulu provinces, as well as the southern Sunda Strait and sections of the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra.
Historically, Anak Krakatau is known for its explosive potential; its previous eruptive events have significantly affected the surrounding areas. Notably, the explosive collapse of the volcano in 2018 precipitated a devastating tsunami that resulted in at least 430 fatalities across the islands of Sumatra and Java, underscoring the volcanic hazard posed by this natural phenomenon.
The recent eruption of Anak Krakatau serves as a reminder of the active geological forces at play in Indonesia, which is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterized by frequent volcanic activity and earthquakes. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary to ensure public safety.
