Panic as Bali’s Mount Agung volcano erupts
After months of intensive monitoring and extensive local evacuations, Bali’s Mount Agung volcano has erupted.
The eruption has been confirmed by the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre.
“Already, it’s already erupted,” PVMBG head, I Gede Suantika, said.
“There is already ash fall,” Suantika said.
The volcano erupted at 5:05 pm local time (8:05 pm AEDT).
“Smoke is observed with medium pressure with a thick grey colour and with a maximum height of about 700m above the peak,” local authorities said.
Locals are being urged not to panic.
Erupsi Freatik Gunung Agung sejak jam 17:02 WITA. #GunungAgung #GunungAgungSiaga pic.twitter.com/0mtz7H3yX4
— BNPB Indonesia (@BNPB_Indonesia) November 21, 2017
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said the eruption remained small so far, but a thick grey ash cloud was being emitted by the volcano.
More than 140,000 people fled their homes around the crater last month in fear of the looming eruption.
The evacuation zone extends between 6 to 7.5 kilometres from the summit.
Mount Agung last erupted in 1963 and nearly 1600 people died.
Officials said the recent rumblings, which started in August, did not pose an immediate threat to those who live nearby.
The alert level remains at three after it fell from the maximum level of four on October 29.
“At this point this is very, very small,” tweeted New Zealand volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner. “Right now this is not a serious eruption but of course this can change,” Dr Krippner said.
#Agung is not spewing, people are not panicked. At this time the eruption is small and everyone should be encouraged to stay calm, be alert, and watch official information sources. https://t.co/VIw6j5HRUR
— Dr Janine Krippner (@janinekrippner) November 21, 2017
“Time to make sure you are prepared and keep an eye on official Agung information,” Dr Krippner said.
Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport remains open at the moment.
Concerns over the eruption are believed to have cost Bali at least $110 million in lost tourism and productivity as many local residents move to shelters.