What is the name and location of the volcano?
As of September 6, 2026, Anak Krakatau is erupting in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. The active island volcano is administratively part of South Lampung Regency in Lampung province and lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Anak Krakatau, whose name means “child of Krakatau,” emerged within the caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatau. The current eruptive activity began late on September 4 and has produced lava fountains, booming sounds, and ash plumes reaching approximately 50,000 feet on the Sumatra side of the volcano (1).
Which cities or areas are affected by the volcano?
Volcanic ash has spread across parts of western Indonesia, affecting communities, transportation, schools, fishing activities, and air travel (2).
The affected cities and regions include:
Airport operations have also been disrupted in Jakarta, Bandung, and Lampung, while flights serving Bali, Medan, Surabaya, and several international destinations have experienced cancellations, delays, or diversions.
What is the current containment status of the volcano?
As of September 6, 2026, Anak Krakatau remains active and is at Alert Level III, the second-highest level on Indonesia’s four-level volcanic warning scale. Repeated eruptions indicate an ongoing supply of magma and volcanic gases beneath the volcano, and officials continue to monitor seismic activity, ash emissions, and changes around the crater (3).
Authorities have reported no immediate tsunami threat. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency has also announced plans for weather modification measures, including cloud seeding, to encourage rainfall that may help remove ash from affected areas (4).
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
The nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometers from the volcano. However, authorities have instructed residents, visitors, fishermen, and tourists to remain at least 3 kilometers from the active crater because of volcanic ash, hazardous gases, hot rocks, and other eruptive material (5).
People affected by ashfall have been advised to wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activity, cover water sources, and drive carefully because ash can reduce visibility. Travelers should check directly with airlines and airport authorities before traveling because flight schedules may continue to change (6).
How can I protect myself from volcanic smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from a volcanic eruption.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter volcanic smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
