Indonesia: Exclusion zone reduced around Bali Mount Agung volcano Jan. 4 /update 22

Event

The exclusion zone around Bali's Mount Agung volcano was reduced to 6 km (4 mi) on Thursday, January 4. The previous exclusion zone encompassed 10 km (6 mi) around the volcano. Although Indonesia's National Board for Disaster Management (BNBP) maintains the highest alert level in anticipation of a possible major eruption, residents in areas that no longer fall within the exclusion zone have been allowed to return home.

Context

Mount Agung erupted ash on December 8-9, marking its entrance into an intensified ash eruption phase, according to geological scientists. Indonesian authorities issued an orange volcano aviation alert - the second-highest level - following the ash eruption.

Most of Mount Agung's eruptions since September 19 – when a state of emergency was declared following rumbles – had been primarily composed of steam, with some ash mixed in, according to Indonesian authorities. While no significant air transportation disruptions have been recently reported at Bali's Denpasar-Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) or nearby Lombok International Airport (LOP), DPS remained closed for three days at the end of November.

Mount Agung's last major eruption occurred in 1963 and resulted in the deaths of around 1500 people.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to monitor the situation and follow any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders).