Banten residents describe tremors and heavy ash during Anak Krakatau eruption

Residents in Banten said Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption produced blasts loud enough to shake windows and light tremors inside their homes. Carwadi, from Karyawangi village in Pandeglang, said the explosions remained audible from his area.

Volcanic ash covered house terraces and vehicles with a layer of black dust. Carwadi said residents had swept and cleaned, only for the ash to return soon afterward. In Cilegon, Efendi said his eyes became painful while he was riding a motorcycle, which he attributed to volcanic ash.

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The windows were shaking, like there was a small earthquake. From last night until now, the blasts from Mount Anak Krakatau can still be heard here.

Zainatus, from Kebondalem in Cilegon, said ash entered her home even after windows and doors were closed. The floors remained dirty after repeated sweeping and mopping.

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It had never hurt like this before. This seems to be volcanic ash, so I have used eye drops.

Intense activity began on Friday night and continued with an eruption at 11:07 p.m. on Saturday. One eruption recorded at 3:53 a.m. on Sunday reached a maximum amplitude of 46 millimetres. Winds carried ash toward Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Lampung and Bengkulu. Seven airports had temporarily closed because of the disruption.

Residents were advised to wear masks outside and avoid the crater within a three-kilometre radius.

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I swept and mopped, but it still feels gritty. The dust is black.