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Indonesia has kept several airports closed despite signs that the Anak Krakatau volcanic eruption is easing, as authorities continue to detect volcanic ash in the airspace around Jakarta and other parts of the country.
The eruption, which lasted continuously for about 25 hours, produced a fountain of lava and powerful explosions that were reportedly heard as far as 700 kilometers away. Indonesia’s Geological Agency said the most intense phase ended Sunday, but the volcano remained active with intermittent eruptions, dark ash emissions and localized earthquakes.
AirNav Indonesia detected volcanic ash in airspace around Jakarta and several other cities, prompting authorities to keep multiple airports closed for safety reasons. The disruptions have affected around 2,300 flights and more than 270,000 passengers, according to Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry and airport operator InJourney Airports.
Among the affected airports are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, as well as Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung and Radin Inten Airport in Lampung. Atung Bungsu Airport in South Sumatra, however, resumed normal operations Monday.
Volcanic ash poses a serious threat to aviation because it can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility. Authorities say airport closures will remain in place while officials monitor ash movement and changing weather conditions.
The eruption has also disrupted daily life beyond air travel. Schools in parts of Jakarta, West Java, Banten and Lampung have shifted temporarily to remote learning to reduce students’ exposure to volcanic ash.
Officials are warning that the danger has not completely passed. Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency, said the possibility of additional eruptions remains high, with potential hazards including heavy ashfall, volcanic bombs and lava flows if stronger activity resumes.
Anak Krakatau, meaning “child of Krakatau,” sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. It emerged from the caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 Krakatau eruption and has remained intermittently active.
The volcano also erupted in 2018, triggering a tsunami that killed at least 430 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra.
Indonesia, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, has more than 120 active volcanoes and frequently experiences significant volcanic activity. Authorities are continuing to monitor Anak Krakatau closely while working to restore normal air travel as conditions improve.
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