04 Jan 2018 | 04:49 PM UTC
Indonesia: Bali volcano enters ash eruption phase December 8-9 /update 21
Bali’s Mount Agung spews ash December 8-9; no significant flight disruptions yet reported
Event
Bali's Mount Agung erupted ash on Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9, marking its entrance into an intensified ash eruption phase, according to geological scientists. Indonesia's National Board for Disaster Management (BNBP) has accordingly maintained the volcano alert level for Mount Agung at level 4 - the highest level - as of Saturday, December 9. Indonesian authorities issued an orange volcano aviation alert - the second highest level - on Friday following the ash eruption. The exclusion zone around the volcano still extends 10 km (6.2 mi) from the crater.
Until Friday's ash eruption, most of Mount Agung's eruptions since November 25 had been primarily composed of steam, with some ash mixed in, according to Indonesian authorities. While no significant air transportation disruptions have yet been reported at Bali's Denpasar-Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) or nearby Lombok International Airport (LOP), flight disruptions are possible in the coming days amid the ongoing eruptions. A larger eruption at Mount Agung is possible in the coming days.
Context
Bali's Mount Agung volcano has erupted several times over the past few weeks. On November 26, the volcano's continued eruptions prompted Indonesian authorities to raise its flight alert level from orange to red - the highest level - as the volcano spewed a plume of ash more than 6000 m (19,700 ft) into the air. The BNPB raised the volcano alert level for Mount Agung from 3 to 4 - the highest level - on November 27 due to the risk of a large eruption.
The BNPB initially reported on November 21 that Mount Agung had entered an eruptive phase. A state of emergency has been in effect since September 19.
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). Potentially impacted travelers are advised to confirm flight reservations.
