JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com – Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau remained detectable over parts of the Sunda Strait on Tuesday, September 8. Although ash was present, ground tests at eight airports found no ash. Previously, these airports had suspended operations.

Satellite imagery issued by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) at 1 p.m. WIB showed a low-altitude ash plume moving away from the volcano toward the south and west.

The observation covered ash from the surface to approximately 7,000 feet, or 2.1 kilometers. At that altitude, the plume extended across part of southwestern Banten and the Indian Ocean southwest of the province.

BMKG’s map uses a yellow polygon to outline the area where its analysis detected volcanic ash in Himawari-9 RGB satellite imagery.

The polygon identifies the estimated plume area. It does not necessarily mean every location within it is experiencing the same ash concentration or air-quality conditions.

A separate BMKG aviation forecast for the Jakarta Flight Information Region was valid from 12:31 p.m. to 6:31 p.m. It projected that ash would move southwest at about 15 knots [27 kilometers per hour].

The forecast identified western Banten, southern Lampung and parts of the Indian Ocean southwest of both provinces as areas that could potentially be affected. BMKG expected no significant change in the plume’s size or intensity during the forecast period.

Wind direction and speed can rapidly alter the movement of volcanic ash. Residents and transport operators should use the latest update rather than relying on an earlier map when making safety decisions.

BMKG also reported that Mount Anak Krakatau produced another small Strombolian eruption at 7:49 a.m. on Tuesday. Monitoring instruments recorded a maximum amplitude of 48 millimeters and a duration of 19 seconds.

The latest ash distribution differed substantially from the wider plume recorded during the preceding days. At that time, ash disrupted flights across parts of Java and Sumatra.

“Our paper-test observations at 6 a.m. showed that eight airports previously closed had tested negative for volcanic ash,” BMKG head Teuku Faisal Fathani said Tuesday, September 8.

BMKG said authorities had allowed operations to resume at the affected airports. However, negative tests at airport surfaces do not mean that all volcanic ash has disappeared from the wider atmosphere around the Sunda Strait.

The agency advised people in affected areas to limit outdoor activities when ash is present. Residents who must go outside should wear masks and protective eyewear. Travelers should check current information from airlines and airport operators.

BMKG continues to publish its latest Anak Krakatau volcanic ash imagery. Residents should also follow safety guidance from PVMBG, BNPB and local authorities as the volcano and its ash plume remain under observation.