Merak, Banten. Anak Krakatau volcano erupted seven times on Wednesday morning, but authorities said the activity remains relatively minor and poses no immediate threat to nearby communities or shipping routes.

According to the Pasauran Volcano Observation Post, the eruptions occurred between shortly after midnight and noon local time. The largest eruption sent an ash column between 150 and 250 meters (490–820 feet) above the crater.

Volcanic ash ranged in color from grayish-brown to dark black, indicating ongoing magma movement beneath the surface. However, all volcanic material has fallen within the immediate vicinity of the crater, with no ash reaching populated areas along the coasts of Banten or Lampung provinces.

"The eruptions are not dangerous to communities in either Banten or Lampung because the material is only being ejected around the volcano itself," volcano observer Deny Mardiono said.

Anak Krakatau remains at Alert Level III (Standby), the second-highest level in Indonesia's four-tier volcanic alert system. Authorities have maintained a 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) exclusion zone around the active crater and advised residents, fishermen, and tourists to stay outside the restricted area due to the risk of sudden explosive eruptions and volcanic projectiles.

Officials also urged the public to rely only on updates issued by Indonesia's Geological Agency and the MAGMA Indonesia monitoring platform, warning against misinformation circulating on social media.

Despite the increased volcanic activity, daily life around the Sunda Strait has continued as normal. Ferry services on the busy Merak–Bakauheni route, which connects the islands of Java and Sumatra, remain in operation, although authorities have advised vessels passing near the volcano to remain alert for possible volcanic ash if activity intensifies.

Anak Krakatau, or "Child of Krakatoa," is one of Indonesia's most closely monitored volcanoes because of its history of explosive eruptions and its location in the strategically important Sunda Strait. The volcano emerged from the caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, one of the deadliest volcanic disasters in recorded history.

The Sunda Strait is a major shipping corridor between the Indian Ocean and the Java Sea and is also home to one of Indonesia's busiest ferry routes. Even relatively small eruptions are closely watched because stronger volcanic activity could affect maritime traffic, tourism in western Java and southern Sumatra, and potentially aviation if ash plumes rise to higher altitudes.

At present, Indonesian authorities say the eruptions remain localized, with no disruption to transportation or immediate danger to the public.

Add as a preferred source on Google +