Mount Anak Krakatau erupts twice on Saturday afternoon

Mount Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait waters of South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, erupted twice on Saturday afternoon, according to information released by the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). The Head of the Mount Anak Krakatau Observation Post in Hargopancuran, Rajabasa District, Suwarno, confirmed that PVMBG recorded two eruptions with varying ash column heights. “Yes, that is correct. Today, Saturday, there have been two eruptions, the first at 16:52 WIB and the second at 18:00 WIB, with an ash column height of approximately 300 metres above the peak or around 457 metres above sea level. The ash column was grey to black in colour with thick intensity moving towards the northwest,” he stated. He explained that the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau remains fluctuating, meaning further eruptions are still possible. Consequently, communities around the Sunda Strait are urged to remain calm but to heighten their vigilance and follow official information released by the Geological Agency through the PVMBG. Residents, tourists, and fishermen are advised not to conduct activities within the radius recommended by the volcanological authorities to avoid risks posed by eruptions or volcanic material ejections. “Mount Anak Krakatau remains at Level II, or Alert status. Fishermen and tourists are asked not to approach within a two-kilometre radius of the Mount Anak Krakatau crater,” he said. Furthermore, fishermen operating in the Sunda Strait waters are also urged to continuously monitor official information regarding Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity and weather conditions before setting out to sea.