Anak Krakatau Eruptions Decrease, UPER Expert Warns of Potential Aftershocks
Mount Anak Krakatau has once again shown volcanic activity with an eruption on Tuesday morning (8/9/2026), despite a previous downward trend. The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) noted that this decrease occurred after the volcano erupted continuously for approximately 25 hours.
Currently, Mount Anak Krakatau remains at Level III (Alert) status. Earth science expert and Lecturer in Geophysical Engineering at Universitas Pertamina (UPER), Iktri Madrinovella, warned that the reduction in activity does not mean the risk has completely disappeared. According to him, the potential for aftershocks, lava flows, and volcanic ash rain remains.
“Current activity includes Strombolian eruptions with relatively light explosions and periodic gas releases. However, very fine volcanic ash particles can spread far from the centre of activity,” Iktuit stated, as reported from his official website on Saturday (9/9).
Iktri explained that volcanic ash has been observed moving at speeds of 10-20 knots (18-37 km/h) towards the northeast and south. This distribution reaches the Jabodetabek and West Java regions, a situation exacerbated by the prolonged dry season, which causes ash to persist longer in the atmosphere.
In addition to the aerial threat, Iktri highlighted the risk of tsunamis caused by volcanic activity in the open sea, reflecting on the events of December 2018. He emphasised the importance of monitoring indicators of the volcano’s structural instability using tools such as tiltmeters, GPS, and tide gauge sensors to detect changes in sea levels early.
The public is advised to refer only to official information from PVMBG, BMKG, and BNPB channels to avoid disinformation. Such preparedness is key to facing the characteristic secondary disasters associated with Mount Anak Krakatau.
The Rector of Universitas Pertamina, Ichsan Setya Putra, added that the university remains committed to equipping students with the competence to analyse natural phenomena through Seismology and Geodynamics courses. This aims to ensure that UPER graduates can support disaster literacy and communicate scientific studies in a manner that is easily understood by the wider community.