Anak Krakatau keeps erupting as the crater exclusion zone remains in place
Anak Krakatau was still erupting at midday on September 5, with an exclusion zone extending 3 kilometres around the crater. Observer Muhammad Dika Nurzaman described the latest eruptions as the year’s most intense and said some monitoring instruments may have been damaged. Indonesian authorities are investigating the source of booms heard across nearby regions. The volcano remained at alert Level III; the connection between those sounds and the eruption has not yet been confirmed.
Science··Morning
Lava fountains continue into midday
Anak Krakatau was still erupting continuously at midday on September 5. Observer Muhammad Dika Nurzaman described the latest eruptions as the most intense of 2026. He said erupting material may have damaged cameras and other instruments around the crater; the damage has not yet been confirmed. Visual monitoring was impaired. The last images showed lava fountains, and Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency PVMBG also reported observations of red lava fountains.[1], [2]
Scientists investigate booms heard farther away
Reports of booms in West Java, Banten and Lampung are also under investigation. At the September 5 press briefing, PVMBG head Rita Susilawati said the sounds might be connected to the volcano, but their source has not yet been confirmed. Scientists need to compare the timing of the eruption with the reports of sounds. Atmospheric temperature and wind can affect how sound travels. Although observers saw lava fountains, they could not measure the eruption column’s height.[2]
Crater exclusion zone stays in force
The volcano remained at alert Level III, and entry was prohibited within 3 kilometres of the crater. PVMBG said the growing volcanic edifice did not appear large enough for a tsunami-generating collapse. The agency stressed that changes in the volcano’s shape were being closely monitored.[1], [2]
