TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The activity of Indonesia's Mount Anak Krakatau has been observed to increase in the past few days. According to the acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, the increased signs of magmatism could indicate the beginning of increased volcanic activity of the volcano located in the waters of Sunda Strait, leading to an eruption.
"The potential threat of an eruption comes from pyroclastic flows, lava, and the projection of incandescent rocks, as well as heavy ash rain," Lana said in her statement on early Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Since June 1, 2026, the Sentinel satellite has shown the emission of SO2 gas or sulfur dioxide and heat anomalies from Mount Anak Krakatau. Additionally, the appearance of fire spots in the crater has also been observed since June 10. These signs are accompanied by the emanation of smoke from the crater with quite high intensity, and a significant increase in the number of earthquakes associated with shallow volcanic tremors.
On June 18-19, the number of tremor events, hybrid or multiple phases, and low-frequency earthquakes increased dramatically with an average of more than 50 occurrences every day. Although not accompanied by an increase in deep volcanic earthquakes and deformation, according to Lana, the increase in earthquakes associated with shallow volcanic tremors indicates the dynamics of magma in Mount Anak Krakatau on the surface.
"Despite the increase in signs of surface magmatism, the activity status of Mount Anak Krakatau is still at level II or alert," she said.
The Geological Agency recommends that the community around Mount Anak Krakatau and visitors, tourists, and hikers do not enter or engage in activities within a 2-kilometer radius from the center of volcanic activity. They should also increase their vigilance against the threat of pyroclastic flows, lava, incandescent rock projections, and heavy ash rain.
The people in coastal areas of Banten and Lampung provinces are also urged to remain calm and not to believe in rumors about a potential eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau that might cause a tsunami. Instead, the Geological Agency hopes that the public can carry on with their activities as usual while continually following the directions of their respective local disaster management agencies.
Anak Krakatau is an active type A volcano in the Sunda Strait waters, which administratively falls within the South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province. The condition of Mount Anak Krakatau is observed through two observation posts in Kalianda, South Lampung Regency, and in Pasauran, Serang Regency, Banten Province.
Based on its history, Mount Krakatau had a major eruption in 1883, which resulted in a tsunami. Additionally, seismic tremors triggered the eruption of Anak Krakatau and the partial landslide of its body, which caused a tsunami in the Sunda Strait region on December 22, 2018.
Subsequently, a series of low-scale eruptions continued as part of the reconstruction phase for the growth of Mount Anak Krakatau until December 16, 2023. The eruption hiatus has lasted until now. The volcanic activity in the Sunda Strait continues to show low-energy magmatic activity.
Read: Mount Anak Krakatau Erupts Twice, Ejecting Ash 357 Meters above Sea Levels
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