A massive eruption has occurred at the Anak Krakatau volcano. Ash spewed from the volcano has spread across the sky over Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. Consequently, flight operations at the country’s main airport have been suspended. Authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, located near Jakarta, announced on Sunday morning that all flights were suspended until 1:30 PM local time due to the intensifying eruption of the volcano, which is situated more than 150 kilometers away. Al Jazeera reported this news.
Indonesia’s meteorology agency, BMKG, stated that the eruption at Anak Krakatau began late Friday night. Along with lava emissions, loud blasts were heard—sounds that were perceptible even from 700 kilometers away.
The volcanology agency reported two fresh eruptions on Sunday. BMKG stated on its website that ash plumes were observed rising to heights of 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) over the Java side of the volcano, and up to 15,000 meters over parts of Sumatra and Banten province in Java.
Lukman F. Laisa, Director General of Civil Aviation, stated that the suspension period was extended after the presence of volcanic ash at the airport was confirmed through a “paper test.” He emphasized that safety is the top priority in any operational decision.
Anak Krakatau emerged from the sea in the 1920s, following the historic and catastrophic eruption of Krakatau in 1883. It has erupted intermittently since then. During an eruption in 2018, a portion of the crater collapsed, triggering a tsunami that claimed the lives of more than 400 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra.
