Bali volcano update LIVE: Mount Agung and Mount Sinabung erupt to life - Eruption latest
MOUNT Agung and Mount Sinabung in Indonesia have erupted again and sent thick plumes of smoke and volcanic ash into the air. Here is the latest news and updates as the two Indonesian volcanoes erupt.
Bali's Mount Agung erupts in huge explosion
- Mount Agung in Bali erupted at around 7.23am local time on Monday, spewing volcanic ash 2,000m in the sky
- The ash covered the villages of Kesimpar and Kertamandala Kec Abang, however no casualties were reported
- Mount Sinabung in Sumatra started erupting on Friday night for the first time in 2018
- The volcano spewed a dense grey column of smoke hundreds of metres into the sky
Here is the latest news and lives updates on Mount Agung in Bali and Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, Indonesia. (All times in GMT)
Tuesday January 16
10:20pm: Seismic activity increased in first two weeks of January
Seismic activity underneath Mount Sinabung increased during the first two weeks of January according to this graph (below) from Magma Indonesia.
It is understood that residents of Sumatra who were disrupted by the eruption of Mount Sinabung were placed in permanent dwellings or temporary shelters.
More than 7,200 people and 2,100 families were forced out of their homes and into refugee camps when the volcano started erupting on Friday.
8:01pm: Photo shows smoke above Mount Agung
This photo shows Bali residents watching the activity of Mount Agung from Sanur Beach, Bali on Tuesday as it continues to produce an ash cloud.
Data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) from the last six hours said Mount Agung had exhaled smoke as much as six times the height of the summit crater, reaching a height of 500-100 metres at medium to moderate pressure, according to Antara news.
6.14pm: Ash cloud no longer visible above Mount Sinabung
An ash cloud is no longer visible above Mount Sinabung according to MAGMA Indonesia after it oozed red lava last Friday and blasted ash thousands of metres from the volcano.
Residents who live in the upstream from Sinabung have been warned to be watchful of lava.
4.01pm: Mount Sinabung continues to erupt today
Mount Sinabung experienced a further eruption on Tuesday at 2.35pm local time (7.35am GMT) which lasted for 265 seconds.
The ash cloud is moving east/south east today.
3.55pm: Mount Agung eruption and ash is not continuing
According to MAGMA Indonesia, the eruption on Monday morning at 7.23am local time has ended and is not continuing today.
The volcanic ash cloud reached 2000 metres above the summit and has moved north/north-east.
Tuesday January 16
11am: Mayon volcano spews lava in the Philippines
Red hot lava has been seen pouring down the side of Mayon volcano in the Philippines
10am: Plume seen coming out Mount Agung on Tuesday
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, of the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB), said a plume was still coming out of the crater of Mount Agung on Tuesday morning.
He tweeted a photograph of the erupting Mount Agung and the dormant Mount Batar side by side at 7.30am local time on Tuesday.
Sungguh memesona! Gunung Agung dan Gunung Batur di Bali berdampingan. Sama-sama gunungapi aktif yang memiliki watak berbeda. Kita juga harus begitu. Berbeda dalam apapun tapi harus toleransi dan rukun. Harmoni dengan alam semesta. #BALI #BaliUnited #Balivolcano #balitoday pic.twitter.com/K4cHXkgyxL
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) January 15, 2018
Monday January 15
9:58pm: Seismograph shows activity under Mount Agung
This graph shows the seismic activity beneath Mount Agung, as a danger zone of 6km remains in place around Mount Agung's summit.
Even though there continues to be a cloud of ash around the volcano, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar continues as normal with no delayed flights.
A Volcanic Ash Advisory for Agung, issued by the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Australia, expected the ash to dissipate within 6 hours of eruption.
7.43pm: Mount Sinabung erupts for first time in 2018
Mount Sinabung which is located 1,400 miles away from Mount Agung in Northern Sumatra started erupting for the first time in 2018 on Friday night.
Around a fortnight ago, it started spewing huge plumes of smoke into the skies above the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Mr Sutopo, of the BNPB, said the eruption did not cause any casualties, warning that residents on the slopes should beware cold lava flows.
The BNPB has warned against locals getting near the danger zone which is within three to seven kilometres around Mount Sinabung's crater.
The frequent eruptions of the huge volcano have prompted authorities to put up permanent signs to warn people against going anywhere near it.
6.41pm: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel to within 10 kilometres of Mount Agung in East Bali due to ongoing volcanic activity.
"This area is mostly covered by an existing exclusion zone put in place by the local authorities, which extends between 8 and 10kms from the crater. If you’re in this area, you should leave immediately" the advice stated.
"During previous eruptions, areas beyond 10km have also been affected by mud/debris flows (particularly in valleys) and volcanic ash falls. While in Bali, you should therefore monitor local media, exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders."
The advice stated the this period of increased volcanic activity may continue for some time and further disruption can’t be ruled out.
If you’re planning to travel to Bali, you should read the travel advice in full and use this checklist and information page from the British Embassy in Jakarta to make sure you’re fully prepared before you travel.
5.55pm: Mount Agung in 'active eruption phase'
Mount Agung started erupting at 7.23am local time and spew volcanic ash 2,000 metres into the air.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, of the National Agency for Disastser Management (BNPB), said the eruption was of a medium intensity.
Ngurah Rai airport is still operating normally and thin grey rain fell in the village of Kesimpar and Kertamandala Kec Abang.
No casualties have been reported following the eruption.