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]

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)

Mt. Raung Eruptions Force Flight Cancellations

Volcanic ash from Mt. Raung forces flight cancellation to and from Bali

Eruptions at Mt. Raung have prompted the authorities to raise the volcanic alert from Level 2 to Level 3. The volcano has been ejecting volcanic matter into the air since Sunday, said the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG).

Increased activity was 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 Jember Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in East Java said on Monday that the 3,333-meter Mount Raung had discharged molten lava on Sunday evening, confirming the authorities’ recent decision to increase the volcano’s alert status, said a report.

More than 2,000 residents in “two districts in Bondowoso lie within Mt. Raung’s potentially Disaster Prone Area (KRB),” and may have to be evacuated in the event of a major eruption.

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.

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.