Four Indonesian Volcanoes Record 13 Eruptions As Activity Continues

JAKARTA, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Four Indonesian volcanoes, including Anak Krakatau, recorded at least 13 eruptions on Thursday as volcanic activity continued across the archipelago, with ash from one volcano keeping an airport in East Nusa Tenggara closed.

The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre (PVMBG) said as of midday, six eruptions were recorded at Mount Ibu in North Maluku, four at Ili Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara, two at Semeru in East Java and one at Anak Krakatau, which erupted at 9.10 am Western Indonesian Time.

However, the eruption column at Anak Krakatau was not observed. Earlier monitoring between midnight and 6 am showed the volcano was covered by fog, with three hybrid or multiphase earthquakes and continuous tremor recorded during the period.

The volcano remained on Level III, the second-highest level in Indonesia’s four-tier volcanic alert system.

Separately, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said in an update on Instagram that volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau and Ili Lewotolok was no longer detected.

Ash from Mount Ibu was detected at up to 7,000 feet, while Semeru could not be observed due to cloud cover.

The latest volcanic activity comes after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau forced the temporary closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and seven other airports earlier this week.

Meanwhile, AirNav Indonesia, in a statement, said Wunopito Airport in Lewoleba, East Nusa Tenggara, remained closed due to volcanic ash from Ili Lewotolok, with the closure extended until an estimated 7 am local time on Friday.

-- BERNAMA