Mount Anak Krakatau Erupts Today, Spews 800-meter High Ash Column

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mount Anak Krakatau (Anak Krakatoa) in Lampung erupted again on Thursday, April 21. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported via its social media account that the eruption occurred at 06:23 a.m. local time with the ash column observed at about 800 meters above the peak, or about 957 meters above sea level

“The thick gray and black ash columns are leaning towards the east. This eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 50 mm and a duration of 75 seconds,” said the PVMBG as quoted from the official page magma.esdm.go.id.

Residents and tourists are suggested to stay outside a 2-km radius of the mountain peak. A similar recommendation was last given in early February and the final week of March.

Based on the tiltmeter, there was allegedly a change in surface pressure associated with the movement of magma fluid to the surface so that the volcanic mountain still has the potential to erupt. 

Historically, the potential for avalanches has been a permanent threat that needs to be monitored and anticipated, especially by the authorities that are tasked to issue an early warning of volcanic eruptions and their impacts, such as tsunamis.

However, the time and volume of volcanic avalanches cannot be predicted and it does not depend on whether the volcano is erupting or not. Volcanic avalanches can also occur with or without an increase in volcanic activity.

Therefore, PVMBG urged the public to comply with the recommendations issued by the agency and the Geological Agency.

Read: Mount Anak Krakatau Erupts

ZACHARIAS WURAGIL