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Anak Krakatau eruption closes Indonesian airports
Volcanic ash shut airports around Jakarta and disrupted travel as Anak Krakatau’s activity continued.
What happened
Anak Krakatau began sustained activity late Friday, sending ash across Jakarta and nearby areas. Eight Indonesian airports were closed at the peak, including airports serving the capital. The continuous phase ended Sunday, but intermittent activity continued Monday as authorities kept seven airports closed and moved some schools to remote learning.
Numbers
- 8 airportsclosed during the disruption — Including airports serving Jakarta
- 170,000 peopleaffected by cancelled flights — Transport ministry estimate
- 25 hourscontinuous volcanic activity lasted — Ended Sunday
- 700 kilometresdistance at which boom heard — Geological agency account
Questions
- Why were airports still closed?
- Authorities kept facilities closed because changing winds can move ash back over flight paths, runways and aircraft surfaces.
- How extensive were the flight disruptions?
- At Jakarta’s main airport, 209 flights were delayed or postponed, including routes to Singapore, Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.
- Why did officials assess tsunami risk?
- A partial collapse in an earlier episode caused a tsunami, so authorities assessed the risk and said this activity posed none.
- What changed beyond air travel?
- Schools in Jakarta and Lampung moved to remote learning, while health officials advised residents to stay indoors and wear masks.
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The catch
Coverage gives no confirmed account of injuries, property damage, or when every airport would reopen.
Airport status changed during reporting.