Anak Krakatau erupts again on Saturday, ash column reaches 400 metres

Mount Anak Krakatau in the waters of the Sunda Strait, South Lampung Regency, erupted again on Saturday afternoon, with a volcanic ash column observed reaching approximately 400 metres above the summit.

According to data from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the eruption occurred at 11.57 Western Indonesia Time. The ash column emerged from the crater, grey to black in colour with thick intensity, and moved towards the southwest.

The eruption activity was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 55 millimetres and lasted for 139 seconds, or approximately 2 minutes and 19 seconds.

The Head of the Anak Krakatau Monitoring Post in Hargopancuran, Rajabasa District, Suwarno, said that the increase in volcanic activity was being monitored intensively through both visual and instrumental observation to determine the ongoing development of the volcano’s activity.

“Yes, that is correct. Today another eruption occurred at 11.57 Western Indonesia Time, with an ash column height of around 400 metres above the summit. The ash column was grey to black with thick intensity,” he said.

According to him, the increase in volcanic activity that occurred in early July formed the basis for the Geological Agency to raise the status of Mount Anak Krakatau from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Standby). Nevertheless, the volcano’s activity remains within a category that can be monitored through the implementation of mitigation measures in accordance with PVMBG recommendations.

The public, tourists, and fishermen are urged not to carry out activities within the radius recommended by the volcanological authorities in order to avoid risks that may arise from eruptions or the ejection of volcanic material.

“Fishermen and tourists are asked not to approach within a radius of two kilometres from the crater of Mount Anak Krakatau,” he said.

In addition, fishermen operating in the waters around the Sunda Strait are also asked to continue monitoring official information regarding the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau and weather conditions before going to sea.

He also stressed that the public is expected not to be easily influenced by unverified information and to refer only to official information provided by the authorised agencies.