An eruption at Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano on Sunday led to the suspension of all flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and disrupted air travel at other domestic airports due to volcanic ash spreading across parts of western Indonesia.
The volcanic island in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, situated between Java and Sumatra, displayed signs of activity before erupting twice on Sunday morning, with lava flares visible on closed-circuit camera footage.
Despite no reported casualties or evacuation orders, authorities advised residents and visitors to stay at least three kilometers away from the active crater. Volcanic ash affected areas in Jakarta and Lampung province, prompting AirNav Indonesia to close airspace around several airports, including Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta.
The closure of eight airports impacted 170,000 passengers from 1,558 cancelled flights, with many travelers expressing inconvenience and understanding towards the situation. Indonesia’s aviation authorities emphasized safety as their top priority and warned of potential disruptions to flight schedules and operations due to the ongoing volcanic activity.
Monitoring agencies identified two ash clouds from the eruption, with one reaching 6,100 meters and drifting northeast over several regions, while the second cloud spread over multiple provinces and the Indian Ocean. Anak Krakatau’s heightened activity since July culminated in Sunday’s eruption, reflecting a continuous magma supply beneath the volcano.
Officials highlighted the risks posed by volcanic ash, gas concentrations, and ejected materials around the crater area. Anak Krakatau, meaning “child of Krakatau,” emerged post the famous Krakatau eruption in 1883, which had global repercussions. The 2018 eruption of Anak Krakatau triggered a deadly tsunami, underscoring the volcano’s potential for catastrophic events.