An eruption at Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia on Sunday led to the suspension of all flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and caused disruptions at other domestic airports as volcanic ash spread across parts of western Indonesia.
The volcanic island, situated in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, had been showing signs of activity since Friday. The eruption, which lasted 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m. local time on Sunday, followed by another 16-second eruption three hours later, was confirmed by Indonesia’s Geological Agency. Surveillance footage captured lava flares emanating from the volcano.
Despite the eruption, no casualties were reported, and no evacuation order was issued as the nearest settlement is over 16 kilometers away. However, authorities cautioned residents and visitors to maintain a safe distance of at least three kilometers from the active crater.
Volcanic ash dispersed over parts of Jakarta and Lampung province in southern Sumatra, causing AirNav Indonesia to close airspace around Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports in Jakarta, along with six other airports, including Radin Inten II airport in Lampung, due to the presence of volcanic ash.
The closure of eight airports impacted approximately 170,000 passengers from 1,558 canceled flights by Sunday evening. Diego Urdiales, a Spanish tourist, expressed frustration over the disruption, while Indonesian passenger Michele Gouw acknowledged the situation as a natural disaster, urging acceptance and compliance with airline and airport directives.
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation assured close monitoring of the eruption’s effects on air travel, coordinating with relevant aviation entities. Lukman F. Laisa, director general of civil aviation at the Ministry of Transportation, emphasized safety as the top priority in operational decisions, warning of potential flight schedule disruptions and operational challenges for airlines.
The volcano’s activity remains a concern, with Indonesia’s volcanology agency and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre identifying two ash clouds through satellite imagery. The eruption on Sunday was noted as the strongest since July, indicating ongoing magma supply and volcanic gas beneath Anak Krakatau. The risks include volcanic ash, gas concentrations, and ejecting hot rocks around the crater area.
Anak Krakatau, meaning “child of Krakatau,” is associated with the famous Krakatau eruption of 1883, which had global consequences. A tsunami triggered by Anak Krakatau’s eruption in 2018 resulted in significant casualties, highlighting the volcano’s potential hazards and historical significance.