An eruption at the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia on Sunday resulted in the suspension of all flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, affecting air travel at various domestic airports due to the dispersal of volcanic ash in western Indonesia.
The volcanic island, situated in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, had displayed signs of activity leading up to the eruption, which lasted for 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m. local time and for an additional 16 seconds three hours later, as reported by Indonesia’s Geological Agency. Footage from closed-circuit cameras captured lava flares emanating from the volcano.
Despite the eruption, no casualties were reported, and no evacuation orders were issued, with the nearest settlement located more than 16 kilometers away. However, authorities cautioned residents and visitors to maintain a safe distance of at least three kilometers from the active crater.
The volcanic ash dispersed across parts of Jakarta and Lampung province in southern Sumatra, prompting 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.
Subsequently, the closure of eight airports impacted approximately 170,000 passengers from 1,558 canceled flights by Sunday evening, with 963 flights affected at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport alone. All eight airports were directed to remain closed until 8:59 a.m. on Monday.
Affected passengers expressed their inconvenience, with Diego Urdiales, a Spanish tourist, remarking on the lack of information from airlines, while Michele Gouw, an Indonesian passenger, acknowledged the situation as a natural disaster, urging acceptance and adherence to airline and airport directives.
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation affirmed its vigilance in monitoring the eruption’s repercussions on air travel, maintaining coordination with relevant stakeholders to prioritize safety in operational decisions, as highlighted by Lukman F. Laisa, director general of civil aviation at the Ministry of Transportation.
The volcano’s continued activity was confirmed by Indonesia’s volcanology agency and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Australia, which identified two ash clouds through satellite imagery. The ash plumes reached significant altitudes, affecting multiple provinces and neighboring waters.
Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency, noted heightened volcanic activity at Anak Krakatau since July, with the recent eruption being the most intense during this period. While the supply of magma and volcanic gases beneath the volcano persists, the potential for a larger eruption remains uncertain.
The hazards associated with the volcano include volcanic ash, gas concentrations, and ejected materials around the crater, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation based on comprehensive data analysis.
Anak Krakatau, translating to “child of Krakatau,” represents the offspring of the renowned Krakatau volcano, which triggered global climatic changes following its monumental 1883 eruption.
In 2018, an eruption at Anak Krakatau resulted in a deadly tsunami that claimed hundreds of lives in Sumatra and Java, attributed to volcanic activity triggering an underwater landslide and subsequent collapse of a significant portion of the island. The aftermath saw Anak Krakatau reduced to a quarter of its original size, underscoring the volcano’s volatile nature and historical significance.