A volcanic eruption has caused significant disruption to air traffic at Indonesia’s primary international airport. Authorities suspended 209 flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport following the detection of volcanic ash in nearby airspace on Sunday morning. The eruptions, which began late on Friday night, generated continuous seismic activity, lava fountains, and audible booming sounds throughout surrounding regions. Two additional eruptions occurred early on Sunday. Flight suspensions affected more than 22,000 passengers and were extended through the afternoon of Sunday, with service disruptions primarily impacting routes to and from Singapore as well as international destinations including Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur.
The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, produced ash so substantial that several schools suspended activities on Saturday due to complaints from students and residents experiencing eye irritation. Local fishermen also cancelled sea operations citing similar discomfort. One resident reported the ash irritation felt like “small grains of sand” in his eyes and required frequent eye drops for relief. The dust accumulation was heavy enough to necessitate sweeping outdoor areas every few minutes. Health authorities urged affected residents to remain indoors and wear face masks to mitigate respiratory, eye, and skin irritation risks.
Officials confirmed that the recent volcanic activity posed no tsunami threat. Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatoa,” has been intermittently active since emerging from the sea at the beginning of last century in a caldera created by Mount Krakatoa’s 1883 eruption. The volcano experienced a major collapse in December 2018, which triggered a devastating tsunami claiming over 400 lives and causing widespread displacement and injury along nearby coastlines. The collapse involved massive rock formations estimated at 70-90 meters in height. Indonesia’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it particularly susceptible to volcanic and seismic activity due to the geological features that produce frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions circling the Pacific rim.
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