The Anak Krakatau volcano eruption has caused chaos across Indonesia. The volcano in the Sunda Strait erupted for 25 continuous hours from September 4 to September 6, 2026, sending ash as high as 50,000 feet into the sky. More than 2,300 flights were cancelled and over 270,000 passengers were affected across Indonesia. Seven airports closed including both of Jakarta's main airports. This Indonesia volcano eruption is one of the biggest aviation disruptions the country has seen in recent years.Key HighlightsAnak Krakatau erupted continuously for 25 hours from 11:07 PM on September 4 until 12:04 AM on September 6, 2026Over 2,300 flights cancelled Indonesia-wide and more than 270,000 passengers were affected by the aviation shutdownVolcanic ash reached as high as 50,000 feet, affecting airspace over parts of Java, Sumatra and the Indian OceanNo tsunami risk was reported by Indonesian disaster authorities despite the powerful eruptionWhat Happened at Anak KrakatauThe Indonesia volcano eruption began late at night on September 4, 2026. Anak Krakatau entered a very long and powerful eruption phase that lasted about 25 hours. The volcano produced lava fountains, thick ash clouds and powerful sounds that were heard hundreds of kilometres away across Java and Sumatra.Indonesia's Geological Agency confirmed the full details of the Anak Krakatau eruption timeline. After the main 25-hour event ended, several smaller Strombolian eruptions followed. The volcano was kept at Level III alert, which is Indonesia's third highest volcanic alert level.The ash cloud did not stay near the volcano. Winds carried it far across western Indonesia, reaching Jakarta's airports more than 150 kilometres away.Why 2,300 Flights Were CancelledThe Indonesia flight cancellations happened because volcanic ash and aircraft engines are a very dangerous mix. Unlike ordinary clouds, volcanic ash contains tiny sharp particles of rock and minerals. When these particles get sucked into a jet engine they can melt inside and damage critical engine parts. The ash also reduces visibility for pilots.Indonesian aviation authorities made the decision to close airports rather than risk aircraft. The Indonesia travel disruption spread very quickly. At first eight airports and 1,500 flights were affected. By Monday the number had grown to more than 2,300 cancelled flights as the ash cloud kept moving.Airports affected included Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Radin Inten II in Lampung and Husein Sastranegara in Bandung. Soekarno-Hatta was kept shut until at least 6 PM local time on Monday.Who Is Anak KrakatauThe Anak Krakatau volcano news cannot be told without its remarkable history. Anak Krakatau means "Child of Krakatoa" in Indonesian. It grew from the volcanic crater left behind after the catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption, one of the deadliest volcanic events in all of human history. That 1883 eruption triggered massive tsunamis and killed more than 36,000 people.Anak Krakatau itself has a deadly chapter too. In December 2018, part of the volcano collapsed into the sea during an eruption, causing a tsunami that struck Java and Sumatra and killed more than 400 people. This is why every new eruption at Anak Krakatau is taken extremely seriously by Indonesian authorities and the public.Is There a Tsunami Risk This TimeIndonesian disaster authorities confirmed there was no immediate tsunami risk from the current Anak Krakatau eruption. Indonesia's BMKG weather and geophysical agency said its monitoring systems detected no sea-level changes suggesting a tsunami. This was very welcome news for millions of coastal residents still haunted by the 2018 disaster.Schools in Jakarta and Lampung shifted to online learning as a precaution. People in ash-affected areas were advised to stay indoors and wear masks. The Indonesian government even launched weather modification efforts to encourage rainfall and help wash ash out of the air faster. The Anak Krakatau volcano news will continue to be closely watched as the Level III alert remains in place and further eruptions remain possible.
