Volcanic Ash Forces Closure of Five Indonesian Airports

Volcanic eruption forces closure of five airports in Indonesia

Continued eruptions at Mount Raung in East Java has forced the authorities to shut down five airports in Indonesia, after volcanic ash disrupted many flights between Bali and Australia for a second day. Flight cancellations have since stranded thousands of traveler.

Increased activity was first detected at the volcano on June 24, 2015. The volcano began to eject volcanic matter on June 29, creating an ash cloud that led to warnings being issued to residents within a 3-km radius of the caldera, and flight disruptions in and out of Bali.

The five airports that are currently closed are:

• Denpasar International Airport in Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport)
• The International Airport in Lombok
• Selaparang Airport (Lombo)
• Blimbingsari Airport in Banyuwangi (Java)
• Notohadinegoro Airport  (Jember, East Java)

Mt. Raung
The 3,333-meter volcano, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, is a massive stratovolcano located in the province of East Java, and has a 2-km-wide and 500-metre-deep caldera. Ruang is about 140km northwest of Bali’s Denpasar airport.

Continued Eruptions

Local Volcanologists say the ash eruptions could last for several weeks, possibly longer. In that case tens of thousands of residents in East Java and neighboring islands may have to be evacuated. [See also earlier blog entries on Impact of Indonesian volcanic eruption s on Singapore.]

Volcanology of Java

Made up almost entirely of volcanic eruptions, the island of Java contains dozens of volcanoes including at least 45 that are considered to be “active” volcanoes.

Related Links

• Mt. Raung Eruptions Force Flight Cancellations July 3, 2015
• Mount Raung volcanic ash cloud disrupts Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to Bali (see video)