Six volcanoes are erupting at once in Indonesia – here’s what to know
- A recent sequence of eruptions at Anak Krakatau has produced the most severe spread of ash emissions, spewing volcanic plumes as high as 50,000 feet (15,240 metres). The ash drifted up to 400 kilometres (250 miles) on one side, reaching the capital, Jakarta, located roughly 150 km away.
- The latest eruptions have caused the longest disruption in recent years to Indonesia‘s largest airport, Soekarno-Hatta, situated on the outskirts of Jakarta. Floods previously forced the airport to close for several hours in 2008.
- Anak Krakatau’s predecessor, Krakatau, was destroyed during massive eruptions in 1883, which triggered tsunamis that killed more than 36,000 people.
- According to the country’s volcanology agency, Indonesia contains 500 volcanoes, 127 of which are active. Mount Semeru also erupted on Sunday, sending ash about 1 km above its summit, though no evacuations or flight disruptions occurred.
- Six active volcanoes in Indonesia are currently at the second-highest alert status, including Mount Anak Krakatau, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara, Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta, Mount Semeru in East Java, Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra and Lewotolok Volcano in East Nusa Tenggara.
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