Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau Erupts, Authorities Warn Residents to Keep Away

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted on Saturday, sending plumes of volcanic ash into the sky over the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.

Authorities have urged residents, tourists and visitors to stay away from the volcano and observe the designated safety zone.

According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the eruption began at 11:07 pm local time on Friday and continued during the monitoring period from midnight to 6 am on Saturday. The agency cited observations from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).

Despite the eruption, authorities said the volcano’s current structure does not pose a significant tsunami threat. Berton Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, said PVMBG had assessed that Anak Krakatau’s relatively small volcanic edifice was not capable of collapsing on a scale large enough to trigger a tsunami.

Why It Matters

Anak Krakatau is being closely monitored because of its history of destructive eruptions and tsunami-generating collapses. The volcano is the remnant of the Krakatau volcano, whose 2018 collapse triggered a deadly tsunami along parts of the Indonesian coast.

Authorities, however, have said the present volcanic structure does not carry a comparable tsunami risk.

Why Are People Being Told to Stay Away?

Indonesia has maintained Anak Krakatau at Level III, or Siaga (Alert), under its volcanic warning system. A 3-kilometre exclusion zone around the active crater remains in force.

Authorities have urged people not to enter the restricted area as volcanic activity continues to be monitored. Residents and visitors are advised to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the volcano for their safety.