SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Flights, Ash Reaches 15,000 m
WHY IT MATTERS
The eruption’s ash plume disrupted air travel and air quality, prompting airport closures and flight cancellations. With the volcano still on high alert, authorities will maintain surveillance to prevent future disruptions and protect public health.
What happened
On September 5, 2026, Anak Krakatau erupted for over 24 hours, spewing ash and volcanic gases that rose to 6,000 m east and 15,000 m west of the volcano. Satellite images from Landsat 8 and Suomi NPP captured a white plume over a brown ash cloud, showing the material spreading across Java, Sumatra, and the Indian Ocean.
The ashfall forced the temporary closure of eight airports, halting nearly 3,000 flights and leaving thousands stranded. By September 6 the eruption subsided, but the volcano continued to rumble and returned to its typical Strombolian activity.
Airports reopened on September 8, yet the Indonesian alert system kept Anak Krakatau at the second‑highest level, indicating ongoing monitoring and potential for further activity.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Anak Krakatau Rumbles Again
NASA · NASA media usage guidelines; third-party material excluded