Anak Krakatau eruption in Indonesia causes cancellation of 1,558 flights
The eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia led to the closure of eight airports and the cancellation of 1,558 flights. Due to volcanic ash spreading across the country’s western regions, AirNav Indonesia closed the airspace, including around Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
As PBS NewsHour reports, by Sunday evening the restrictions had affected about 170,000 passengers. At Soekarno-Hatta Airport alone, 963 flights were cancelled. All eight airports were to remain closed until midnight.
Ash over Jakarta and Sumatra
Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra, had been showing activity since Friday. Indonesia’s Geological Agency recorded an eruption at 3:53 that lasted 30 seconds and, about three hours later, another one lasting 16 seconds. Monitoring cameras recorded lava flashes.
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Volcanic ash spread over parts of Jakarta and Lampung province in southern Sumatra. According to satellite data, one plume reached an altitude of 6,100 metres and moved northeast over Jakarta, Banten and West Java. Another rose to 15,200 metres and covered parts of Banten, Lampung and Bengkulu provinces, the Sunda Strait, and areas of the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra.
Restrictions near the crater
No deaths or injuries were reported, and no evacuation was announced. The nearest settlement is located more than 16 kilometres from the volcano, but residents and visitors were advised not to approach the active crater within three kilometres.
Head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency Lana Saria said that Anak Krakatau’s activity had intensified since July, and that Sunday’s eruption was the strongest during this period. Authorities also allowed schools in areas affected by ashfall to temporarily switch to remote learning. The eruption also disrupted airport operations in Bali and Medan.
