NASA captures intense Anak Krakatau eruption in Indonesia

Anak Krakatau erupted in an explosive event lasting more than 24 hours between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra on September 5, 2026. The sustained blast lofted heavy volcanic debris into regional flight paths and spread thick ash across nearby provinces.

Satellite sensors capture the rising plume

Operational instruments aboard the Landsat 8 satellite, operated jointly by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, recorded a dense white plume of volcanic gas rising above a darker brown ash cloud as the eruption continued across the Sunda Strait.

The VIIRS instrument aboard the Suomi NPP satellite observed the volcanic plume dispersing across hundreds of square kilometers toward populated centers. These orbital observations documented the expansion of airborne materials toward the capital city of Jakarta. The data confirmed widespread atmospheric contamination.

Flight groundings and regional airspace closures

Indonesia’s meteorological agency reported on September 6, 2026, that the cloud reached an altitude of 15,000 meters to the west. Eight regional airports closed.

• Westward cloud altitude: reached up to 15,000 meters into major flight corridors.
• Eastward cloud altitude: measured up to 6,000 meters toward populated landmasses.
• Flight cancellations: affected nearly 3,000 commercial services across the region.
• Facility impact: grounded domestic and international operations across Java and Sumatra.

The sudden suspension of air travel left commercial operations paralyzed at key transit hubs across Java and Sumatra. Aviation authorities halted departures until conditions improved on September 8, 2026. Runways and taxiways required safety evaluations before clearance.

Health hazards from falling volcanic ash

Ashfall settled heavily over Jakarta and adjacent districts of West Java, according to reports from the Indonesian Humanitarian Coordination Platform.

The agency warned that the airborne particles cause immediate physical irritation to human eyes, skin, and respiratory tracts. Officials pointed out that volcanic particulates differ from smoke produced by peatland fires in their chemical makeup, dispersal patterns, and required safety measures. Residents received instructions to wear protective masks outdoors.

Shift to Strombolian activity and alert levels

Continuous explosive activity subsided on September 6, 2026, transitioning into intermittent Strombolian bursts of incandescent material. The volcanic vent continued to rumble.

Authorities maintained Anak Krakatau at the second-highest volcanic alert level, where it has remained since early July.