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Anak Krakatau Volcano Erupts Again, Sending Ash Plumes and Disrupting Hundreds of Flights
Anak Krakatau, the volcanic island that rose from the caldera left by the 1883 Krakatoa eruption, erupted again on September 5 2026, spewing ash and volcanic rock into the air. The eruption has sent ash plumes high into the atmosphere, disrupted air traffic across Indonesia, and forced the cancellation of flights that serve more than 300,000 passengers. The event has raised concerns about aviation safety and the potential for further volcanic activity in the Sunda Strait.
BNPB and ESDM reported that monitoring equipment on the island was damaged during the eruption, but the eruption is still ongoing as of September 9 2026. Officials have stated that the eruption does not pose a tsunami risk at this time, a conclusion that follows the 2018 collapse that produced a deadly tsunami but left the volcano relatively small.
The ash released by Anak Krakatau poses a serious hazard to aircraft. Volcanic ash can damage windshields, irritate pilots’ eyes and skin, and cause engine failure. According to the BNPB, the ash plume has reached altitudes that intersect commercial flight paths, leading to the cancellation of flights to and from Jakarta, Surabaya, and other regional hubs. More than 300,000 passengers have been affected, and airlines have issued refunds or rebooking options in accordance with Indonesian aviation regulations.
Anak Krakatau’s activity is part of a long history of volcanic eruptions in the Sunda Strait. The original Krakatoa island erupted catastrophically in 1883, producing the largest recorded explosion, a global climate effect, and the loss of an estimated 35,000 lives, most of them from tsunamis. The island was destroyed, and Anak Krakatau emerged from the caldera in 1927. The volcano has erupted sporadically since, with a major sector collapse in 2018 that generated a tsunami that killed more than 400 people. The 2018 event also reduced the height of the volcano, leaving it at about 300 meters.
In response to the ash hazard, the BNPB has initiated weather modification operations to remove ash from the atmosphere. The BNPB has deployed aircraft that spray water mist over the plume in an attempt to induce rainfall and settle the ash. Officials have urged residents and travelers to remain calm, follow official guidance, and obtain updates from government sources. The BNPB continues to monitor seismic activity, gas emissions, and ash dispersion to assess the volcano’s behavior.
The volcano’s location in the Sunda Strait places it on the Indo‑Australian plate subducting beneath the Eurasian plate, a setting that supplies magma with high gas content and can lead to explosive eruptions. Scientists note that magma recharge and mixing, processes observed in past eruptions such as Pinatubo and Eyjafjallajökull, may also be occurring at Anak Krakatau. While the 2018 collapse reduced the volcano’s height, the continued activity suggests that magma chambers are still active, warranting ongoing monitoring.
The eruption remains active, but authorities have not identified a tsunami threat. The focus continues to be on aviation safety and ash mitigation. Updates on the volcano’s status and any changes in alert level will be released by the Geological Agency and BNPB. Airlines and passengers are advised to monitor flight schedules and official advisories for further disruptions.
BNPB and ESDM reported that monitoring equipment on the island was damaged during the eruption, but the eruption is still ongoing as of September 9 2026. Officials have stated that the eruption does not pose a tsunami risk at this time, a conclusion that follows the 2018 collapse that produced a deadly tsunami but left the volcano relatively small.
The ash released by Anak Krakatau poses a serious hazard to aircraft. Volcanic ash can damage windshields, irritate pilots’ eyes and skin, and cause engine failure. According to the BNPB, the ash plume has reached altitudes that intersect commercial flight paths, leading to the cancellation of flights to and from Jakarta, Surabaya, and other regional hubs. More than 300,000 passengers have been affected, and airlines have issued refunds or rebooking options in accordance with Indonesian aviation regulations.
Anak Krakatau’s activity is part of a long history of volcanic eruptions in the Sunda Strait. The original Krakatoa island erupted catastrophically in 1883, producing the largest recorded explosion, a global climate effect, and the loss of an estimated 35,000 lives, most of them from tsunamis. The island was destroyed, and Anak Krakatau emerged from the caldera in 1927. The volcano has erupted sporadically since, with a major sector collapse in 2018 that generated a tsunami that killed more than 400 people. The 2018 event also reduced the height of the volcano, leaving it at about 300 meters.
In response to the ash hazard, the BNPB has initiated weather modification operations to remove ash from the atmosphere. The BNPB has deployed aircraft that spray water mist over the plume in an attempt to induce rainfall and settle the ash. Officials have urged residents and travelers to remain calm, follow official guidance, and obtain updates from government sources. The BNPB continues to monitor seismic activity, gas emissions, and ash dispersion to assess the volcano’s behavior.
The volcano’s location in the Sunda Strait places it on the Indo‑Australian plate subducting beneath the Eurasian plate, a setting that supplies magma with high gas content and can lead to explosive eruptions. Scientists note that magma recharge and mixing, processes observed in past eruptions such as Pinatubo and Eyjafjallajökull, may also be occurring at Anak Krakatau. While the 2018 collapse reduced the volcano’s height, the continued activity suggests that magma chambers are still active, warranting ongoing monitoring.
The eruption remains active, but authorities have not identified a tsunami threat. The focus continues to be on aviation safety and ash mitigation. Updates on the volcano’s status and any changes in alert level will be released by the Geological Agency and BNPB. Airlines and passengers are advised to monitor flight schedules and official advisories for further disruptions.
