The Eruption Of Mount Anak Krakatau Responses To The Increase In Volcanic Earthquakes

Mount Anak Krakatau in South Lampung, Lampung, Sunday (26/11/2023). BETWEEN/HO-CCTV BVMBG/aa. (BVMBG CCTV Handout)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) explained that the eruption activity that occurred on Mount Anak Krakatau in recent days was in response to the increase in volcanic earthquakes that occurred during the past month.

"The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau that occurred starting November 26, 2023, is basically estimated to be a response to the increase in volcanic earthquakes that occurred almost a month ago, on October 28, 2023 to be exact," said the Head of the PVMBG Volcano Working Team, Ahmad Basuki, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 28.

Ahmad said the characteristics of Mount Anak Krakatau generally after a significant increase in seismicity would be followed by an eruption within a few days until the following month.

According to him, this is a characteristic of Mount Anak Krakatau in recent years after an eruption that caused a tsunami in December 2018.

"Currently, Mount Anak Krakatau is still being set at level III (Alert) with the recommendation that people do not move within five kilometers of the eruption center," said Ahmad.

Mount Anak Krakatau is a 195 meter high volcano above sea level located in the Sunda Strait and is located in the South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province.

Mount Anak Krakatau was monitored visually and instrumentally from the Pandeglang Pasauran Volcano Observation Post in Banten, and the Hargo Pancuran Kalianda Volcano Observation Post in Lampung.

Mount Anak Krakatau's volcanic activity is still very active since the eruption in 2018, which has changed its body morphology accompanied by a tsunami in December 2018.

Until now, eruption activity is still occurring every year and during 2023, 415 eruption earthquakes have been recorded with the height of the eruption column varying from 50 to 3,500 meters above the peak of the volcano.