Four Indonesian volcanoes record 13 eruptions as activity continues 

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

The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre (PVMBG) said that 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 9.10am Western Indonesian Time.

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

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

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

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

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

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