Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Air Traffic in Jakarta

An eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano forced Jakarta’s main airport to suspend operations and canceled 209 flights, including several international connections.

The ash cloud led Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to halt operations until 9:30 a.m. local time. Indonesia’s Transport Ministry said hundreds of flights had been canceled because of the volcanic ash.

The volcano erupted late on Friday, and the weather agency said the ash plume rose as high as 15,000 meters. The disaster management agency urged residents to remain vigilant and wear masks if ash fell. Local media reported that several schools canceled classes on Saturday after students and nearby residents complained of eye irritation.

Anak Krakatau sits on an island chain between Java and Sumatra along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The volcano’s name means “child of Krakatau.” It formed about a century ago in the area of the former Krakatau volcano, whose massive 1883 eruption triggered tsunamis that killed more than 36,000 people. A tsunami caused by Anak Krakatau killed hundreds on Java and Sumatra in 2018.