Mount Anak Krakatau Activity Increases, PVMBG Warns of Potential Eruption

Mount Anak Krakatau has begun to show a significant increase in volcanic activity. According to the latest monitoring by the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) since 26 June 2026, there has been an increase in the intensity of tremor earthquakes accompanied by grey crater smoke and thin volcanic ash content. The crater smoke activity has even been detected by satellites operated by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC) in Darwin, Australia. Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, explained that this phenomenon indicates magmatic dynamics near the surface. “These symptoms of increased magmatism at the surface could be the beginning of heightened activity at Mount Anak Krakatau leading to an eruption. If an eruption occurs, potential hazards include pyroclastic flows, lava, incandescent rock projectiles, and ashfall,” Lana Saria stated in Bandung on Sunday (28/6). This increase in activity was actually detected since the beginning of the month. On 1 June 2026, the Sentinel Satellite showed SO2 gas emissions and a thermal anomaly. Subsequently, a fire spot in the crater began to appear from 10 June 2026, followed by high-intensity crater smoke and an increase in shallow earthquakes. A drastic surge occurred on 18 and 19 June 2026, where the number of tremor earthquakes, Hybrid/Multi-phase earthquakes, and Low Frequency earthquakes recorded an average occurrence of more than 50 times per day. “Although not accompanied by an increase in deep earthquakes and deformation, the increase in earthquakes associated with shallow quakes indicates magma dynamics of Mount Anak Krakatau at the surface level,” Lana added. The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait waters of South Lampung Regency, has a history of a major eruption in 1883 and a flank collapse event that triggered a tsunami on 22 December 2018. After a phase of reconstruction and growth until the end of 2023, the mountain experienced a long eruptive pause but continued to show low-energy magmatic activity. Lana Saria urged communities along the coast of Banten and Lampung to remain calm and carry out their activities as usual. However, she stressed the importance of following instructions from the local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to anticipate further developments.