Why is a volcanic eruption dangerous in Bali? Eruption in Bali: smoke rose four kilometers, but there was no panic

In July 2015, the Indonesian island of Bali came into the spotlight of the general public. The sky above him was cloudy due to the emission of ash. Thousands of tourists were trapped at the airport. The government evacuated the area natural disaster local residents. But they found themselves under a layer of volcanic ash. And several villages located on the slopes of the fire-breathing mountain burned down. Does this situation often occur in Bali? This is not uncommon for Indonesia. After all, the archipelago state is included in the so-called fire belt of the Earth. This strip, stretching from Kamchatka to the equator along the Pacific coast, still suffers from the violent tectonic activity of our planet. But Bali is also a popular tourist destination. Wide beaches with white sand, mountains with gurgling streams, crystal waterfalls and lush greenery of the tropical jungle... Add to all this first-class service and well-developed tourist infrastructure. Do travelers to this tropical paradise take a big risk? Read about this in our article.

Explosive Indonesia

Every year, seismologists record about seven thousand earthquakes in this country. The figure is, of course, impressive. But don't let this fact discourage you from traveling to Indonesia. The lion's share of tremors is recorded only by sensitive instruments. But, nevertheless, seismologists vigilantly monitor the activity of the subsurface underground. After all, tremors can be symptoms of a much more dangerous phenomenon - a volcanic eruption. These mountains in Indonesia are truly deadly. Just one precursor to an eruption - the release of sulfur gases - can kill all living things nearby. Columns of smoke cover the entire sky with impenetrable darkness. Hot stones fall - volcanic bombs. And streams of lava flow down, burning everything in its path. There are five hundred volcanoes in Indonesia. But only 128 of them are active, and 65 are considered especially dangerous. Are volcanoes in Bali dangerous and how dangerous? We hasten to assure you that eruptions mainly take place in Sumatra. In the “tropical paradise” beloved by tourists, the situation is not so tense. Although…

Active volcanoes in Bali

To calm down a little, let's remember school science, or more precisely, fifth grade geography. Volcanoes are extinct, dormant and active. Seismologists decide which category a particular mountain belongs to based on the date of the last eruption. Bali is a volcanic island in origin. But not all the mountains on it are potentially dangerous. After all, the island was formed millions of years ago. And if this or that volcano last erupted more than ten thousand years ago, it is called extinct. When he showed activity 3500 years ago, he was recorded as dormant. Now about the situation in Bali. It is believed that there are only two active volcanoes on this island. These are Gugung ("Mountain") Agung and Batur. All other volcanoes in Bali are extinct or dormant. Therefore, you can safely go to this island. Last eruption The Bali volcano occurred in 2000. This cannot be called a real explosion - Gugung Batur threw out a column of ash three hundred meters high, and that was the end of the matter. But in 1964 there was a real eruption (from the same volcano). The highest point of the island, Gugung Agung, has not been active for a very long time.

Dangerous neighborhood?

Two active volcanoes on one small island are still a bit much, fearful tourists might think. And they will turn out to be wrong. Just look at the population density around local volcanoes how your slightest fears will be dispelled. Small villages can be found even in craters. Farmers are attracted to this neighborhood because the mineral-rich volcanic ash is an excellent soil fertilizer. Due to the altitudinal zone, a mild microclimate has developed on the slopes of the mountain, conducive to a good harvest. There are also no problems with watering crops, since short rains often occur on the mountain slopes. Any volcano in Bali is held in high regard by local residents. The temples on the slopes testify to this. And since these structures are ancient, we can conclude that the locals do not consider the proximity to the volcano dangerous. Bali's tourism industry uses these mountains for excursions.

The importance of volcanoes for local residents

In the religion and culture of the Indonesians, the center of the Universe was the mythical Mount Mahameru. This axis of the universe split in half. This is how Agung and Batur arose - volcanoes on the top of which the gods live. All villages in Bali are oriented towards the highest mountain of the island. Residents go to bed with their heads towards Gugung Agung - so that the soul is close to the gods. Legend has it that before the volcanoes appeared, the island was deserted and barren. This is partly true: the ash fertilizes the local soil well. The gods come down to people on major holidays, and then return to the heights. To honor them, temples were built on the slopes of volcanoes. Since Agung is the highest mountain of the island, the Besakih complex is the most revered place of worship. This volcano in Bali is under the patronage of Batara Mahadeva (in local Hinduism, Shiva). Once every hundred years, the ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra - “cleansing the world from all sins” - is held in the Besakih temple on the slopes of Agung. And this holiday in 1963 turned into a tragedy.

Agung eruption

The world cleansing ceremony was scheduled for the spring of 1963. However, when the Agung volcano woke up in Bali in February, the priests said that the residents had chosen the wrong date for the ritual. They say that Shiva does not want to come down to people on this day and expresses his dissatisfaction with the columns of smoke coming from the crater of the mountain. Volcanologists also agreed with the priests. They warned Indonesian President Sukarno that Agung was showing signs of activity and could erupt. However, he had already invited foreign delegations to the celebration and did not want to postpone the ceremony. On March 18, 1963, the Agung eruption entered its active phase. The crater exploded and lava came down. The Besakih Temple was miraculously not damaged. The lava flow passed only a few meters from the buildings. However, a large number of people died then. Now the top of the volcano resembles a lunar landscape, which tourists come to admire. And local residents still honor Agung. They hang the offerings on a curved bamboo penjor pole, which in outline resembles the most high peak islands.

Gugung Agung

This is the highest stratovolcano in Bali - its peak rises 3142 meters above sea level. It is located in the eastern part of the island. The name Gugung Agung translates as “Great Mountain”. In the entire history of observations, the volcano in Bali has erupted only four times: in 1808, 1821, 1843 and 1963-1964. The last one was the most significant and powerful. Then two thousand people died, lava and mudflows came down. The crimson sunsets that were then observed in Europe were associated, according to some scientists, with the release of large amounts of ash into the atmosphere from the Agung vent. After the eruption, the parameters of the crater also changed. Now it is an oval funnel five hundred meters long and two hundred wide. The volcano showed little activity in the 1980s. In 2000-2001, abnormally hot temperatures in the springs were noticed near Agung. Now the “Great Mountain” is dormant... Under the close attention of volcanologists.

Volcano Batur in Bali

This is the third highest mountain on the island. It is located very close to Agung. For tourists, Batur is a favorite place for climbing. Why? Firstly, the height. 1717 meters is not three thousand. The hike itself, if you start it very early in the morning, lasts half a day, and you can relax on the beaches. Secondly, at the foot of Batur there is a lake of the same name, the most picturesque in the area. There are also temples on the slopes of the volcano. One of tourist attractions Batura are jets of hot steam. They make their way out of various crevices of the mountain, reminding careless travelers that the volcano is active. The guides assure that it is quite possible to cook scrambled eggs in the jets of this steam. The last eruption of Batur occurred (in conjunction with Agung) in 1964. After this, the volcano again threw a column of ash three hundred meters into the air in 2000, as a result of which it was closed for several days international Airport. Now Batur is quiet. Only jets of steam warn of a hidden threat.

Batukaru

This is the second largest volcano in Bali. Its height is two thousand three hundred and fifty meters. On the slopes of this extinct volcano There is also a temple - Pura Luhur. The road to it leads through a forest with playful monkeys. It is recommended to climb this mountain to take good pictures of the island from a bird's eye view.

Caldera Chatur

When our planet was still young, the volcanoes on it were simply huge. When they erupted, calderas with many independent peaks were formed. This is what Chatur is now - a ridge of volcanoes stretching for eleven kilometers. Excursions go to Sengayang, Pohan, Lesung and Pengilingan, as this region is famous for its thermal springs. Still there beautiful lakes- Bro, Tamblingan and Buyan. To the southwest of Chatur stands Batukaru, the second highest volcano in Bali.

What happened in the summer of 2015

On June 3rd, news arrived that the skies over Bali airport were closed. Since the island is a popular tourist destination, the news caused a stir. Has there really been a new volcanic eruption in Bali? Batur has been sleeping since 1964, and so has Agung. What happened? In fact, the seismological situation has worsened in Java and Sumatra. He made some noise. He woke up in early 2014, killing sixteen people. The mountain is located in the north of Sumatra. In the summer of this year, Sinabung threw volcanic ash into the sky. Columns of thick smoke reached a height of two thousand meters, temporarily making air travel impossible. In July, two more volcanoes woke up in Java - Gamalama and Raung. Nine hundred flights were canceled because of them.

Tourist attraction or serious risk?

So should you be afraid of volcanoes in Bali? As reviews from tourists show, it is also measured and quiet life the islanders themselves have no reason to worry. Volcanoes do not wake up instantly and unexpectedly. Their eruption is preceded by various phenomena, such as an increase in the temperature of the sources and the release of gases. A volcano on the island of Bali such as Batur is especially attractive to tourists.

Airport operations on the island of Bali have been suspended for almost a day due to the activity of the Agung volcano. As a result, more than 440 flights were canceled and about 60 thousand tourists were stranded on the island, media reported.

This is what the columns of ash ejected from the active Agung volcano look like. Bali, November 27, 2017. Photo: Reuters

Flights have been suspended due to the spread following the eruption of Mount Agung. A red warning has been declared in the region. It means that an eruption is imminent or that an eruption with a large release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere is already occurring.

On Monday, November 27, the threat level was raised to maximum. It is noted that ash columns rose to a height of 3.4 km. There is still a possibility of a powerful eruption. It is forbidden to approach the volcano at a distance closer than 8-10 km, reported at the Disaster Management Agency.

Already, about 40 thousand local residents whose houses are located near the volcano have been evacuated, and about 100 thousand more people are going to be evacuated due to the eruption of Mount Agung, AFP reports, citing representatives of the Indonesian Emergency Management Agency.

Embassy of Belarus in Indonesia

This is the second eruption of the Agung stratovolcano over the past week. The first happened on November 21 - then smoke from the volcano rose to a height of 700 meters from the crater. The disaster management agency assessed the volcano's activity level as four out of four. On Sunday, a column of smoke from the crater rose to a height of four thousand meters, and therefore the eruption was assigned the highest (red) threat level for air transport.

First, Indonesian authorities closed the airport on the island of Lombok after the second eruption. And then the international airport in Bali was closed for 18 hours, SBS News reported.

However, the event itself is not extraordinary for a region that was essentially formed as a result of volcanic activity.

As former RIA Novosti correspondent Mikhail Tsyganov, who has lived in Bali for a long time, said, there are about 600 volcanoes in Indonesia, of which about 130 are active. “I am 25 kilometers from the crater of the volcano. It can be seen differently depending on the weather. Usually it is visible in the morning and late in the evening. Yesterday I saw it perfectly. Today the top was closed,” he said.

No panic

According to Tsyganov, local residents, and most tourists, perceive what is happening calmly and do not panic. “Panic is observed mainly in the media, especially on television, which loves bright pictures, and among some tourists who have not yet fully figured out where they ended up,” he explained.

On the island of Bali, which is part of Indonesia, Once again Agung volcano “awakened”. Authorities warned local residents of the precautions they should take.

Volcano Agung regularly throws columns of smoke and ash into the air. Two years ago, the geological formation resumed activity after many years of dormancy. In 2019, the volcano’s activity continues. There have been no human casualties yet, and no serious damage to the island. But the authorities urge their fellow citizens to take precautions.

Situation in Bali today

The geological formation began to become active yesterday. Apparently, the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali is also continuing today. The media has no information that the situation on the island has stabilized. Since its “awakening,” the volcano has released a column of ash 2 km high into the sky. After the Agung eruption, ash flowed towards three areas of Bali. The activity of the geological formation caused the cancellation of flights at the international airport that operates on the island.

Indonesian authorities have banned tourists and residents of Bali from approaching the volcano closer than 4 km. The third level of danger was declared on the island (there are 4 in total). Residents of Bali have been given masks to protect them from volcanic ash. This is the second case of Agung activity on the island in the last month. At the end of March, the volcano also “awakened.” Then the geological formation also released a column of ash. Residents of Bali did not notice the smoke, but heard a roar that lasted about two minutes. Then the airport was not closed.

Why is the eruption of Mount Agung dangerous?

There are other volcanoes in Bali. Agung “woke up” less often than the others, but was always fraught with danger. In the 60s, Indonesian scientists recorded the most powerful eruption volcano in the country. This is how Agung “woke up”. Two years ago, another activity of the geological formation provoked earthquakes. Thus, Agung is considered potentially dangerous volcano, which is closely monitored by local experts.

Scientists said the effects of the volcano's activity are affecting Bali's climate. The authorities make the decision to evacuate the local population and close the airport based on the amount and intensity of movement of volcanic ash.

How dangerous is a volcanic eruption in Bali (photo gallery)

Actually popular resort Mount Agung continues to erupt in Indonesia. Some tourists are leaving the country, the authorities have announced the evacuation of local residents. Photo gallery DW.

• Ash cloud



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Lava flow emissions



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Highest point in Bali



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Paradise under the ashes



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

"Still safe"



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Airports are closed



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Magma and ash



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Precautions in Bali

• Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

  Ash cloud

  The eruption of Mount Agung in northeast Bali began last weekend. As a result, nearby resorts and villages were covered in a thin layer of ash. Dark gray clouds above the volcano's summit were visible from the island's capital, Denpasar, and even from the neighboring island of Lombok.



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Lava flow emissions

As night fell, a bright glow from the crater illuminated a cloud of ash that rose 6,000 meters above the summit of Mount Agung. It began showing signs of activity back in September, prompting local authorities to upgrade the volcano's danger status to emergency and evacuate 140,000 people living nearby. However, later, on October 29, the danger level was lowered.



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Highest point in Bali

Volcano Agung with a height of 3142 meters is the most high point islands. As a result of gas and ash emissions, the work of two airports was stopped at once - on the island of Bali and on the neighboring island of Lombok.



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Paradise under the ashes

Bali Island is the main one tourist centre Indonesia. Beautiful ocean beaches, temples and lush forests attract about 5 million tourists a year. But according to Made Sugiri, a representative of the local Mahagiri Panoramic hotel, the number of visitors has dropped in recent months: “We have withdrawn from danger zone, but, as in other resorts in the region, of course, eruptions cause an outflow of tourists."



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

"Still safe"

Indonesia's disaster management agency says Bali is "still safe" for tourists. Agung's emergency status remained at level 3 (one point below the highest alert) over the weekend, the agency said in a statement. At the same time, despite a number of eruptions, volcanic activity remains relatively stable.



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Airports are closed

Things were different with the status of air travel over the island - on Sunday, November 26, the danger level here reached its highest level - red. Although many flights continued to operate, hundreds of people were stranded. As a result, first the airport on the island of Lombok was closed, and then the main international airport Ngurah Rai in Bali.



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Exclusion zone around the volcano

The latest lava eruptions have displaced about 25,000 people. Authorities called on everyone inside the exclusion zone within a 7.5-kilometer radius of the volcano's crater to evacuate immediately. Mount Agung - one of more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Its last major eruption, which occurred in 1963, killed more than a thousand people.



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Magma and ash

Volcanologists described the renewed activity of Mount Agung on November 25 as a phreatic explosion, that is, an eruption with evaporation of smoke caused by heating and expansion of groundwater. On November 26, authorities announced that, judging by the settling of ash, a magmatic eruption had already begun.



Eruption of Mount Agung on the island of Bali

Precautions in Bali

"Mount Agung is still spewing ash, but we need to keep a close eye and be prepared for a more powerful, explosive eruption," warns Indonesian volcanologist Gede Suantika. Soldiers and police are distributing protective masks to people in nearby villages and resorts.