Mt Gamalama Erupts

Another Indonesian volcano erupting, more airports shut

Mt Gamalama in Ternate, North Maluku, erupted Thursday morning local time, releasing large clouds of ejecta more than 1.5km into the sky.

At least five Indonesian airports are now closed due to eruptions at Raung and Gamalama volcanoes:

The airports serving Surabaya and Malang in East Java, near Raung volcano and Ternate in North Maluku, near Gamalama volcano.

Airports in Banyuwangi and Jember near Raung volcano have remained closed since last week.

Additionally, Juanda International Airport and Abdurahman Saleh Airport were also closed temporarily, Antara News reported.

GAMALAMA Volcano

The 1,715-meter volcano comprises the entire island of Ternate, located in Maluku Islands, Indonesia.

A 1775 eruption killed an estimated 1,500 people. in 2011, several people were killed and many more were injured from lahar after a weeks of activity.

In December 2014, a thick layer of ash ejected from the volcano forced the closure of Babullah Airport in Ternate.

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)
• Volcanic Ash Forces Closure of Five Indonesian Airports July 10, 2015
• Colima Volcano Erupts, Hundreds Evacuated in W. Mexico July 12, 2015
• Air Asia cancels all flights from Surabaya [Antara News, July 16, 2015]