No Tsunami Anomalies Detected after Anak Krakatau's Eruption: BMKG

Jakarta: The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said on Tuesday that Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption had not caused sea-level anomalies or indicated a tsunami in the Sunda Strait.

BMKG Acting Deputy for Geophysics Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan said 20 tsunami gauges and HF radar arrays in Carita and Tanjung Lesung indicated a tsunami probability below 50 percent.

Monitoring had detected no abnormal sea-level rise or significant changes in surface-current patterns that could indicate a tsunami, Ardhasena said.

Wave heights in the Sunda Strait remained stable at 0.5 to three meters, while weather was expected to be sunny to partly cloudy through Sept. 13.

BMKG is also conducting weather modification operations to help disperse volcanic ash from the atmosphere, Ardhasena said.

The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) recorded a new Strombolian eruption at 7:49 a.m. Tuesday, with a maximum amplitude of 48 millimeters and a duration of 19 seconds.

BMKG, the National Disaster Management Agency and the Transportation Ministry deployed five weather-modification flight sorties using two Cessna Caravan aircraft from Pondok Cabe and Halim Perdanakusuma.

BMKG conducted one sortie dispersing sodium chloride powder and another using calcium chloride liquid as a cloud-condensation agent, plus three sorties spraying Water mist into the atmosphere.

Ardhasena advised people in areas affected by volcanic ash to limit outdoor activities and wear masks and protective eyewear to reduce potential health risks.