Volcanic ash update for Mount Agung

27/11/2017

The Bureau of Meteorology is continuing to provide advice to the aviation industry about the potential impact of volcanic ash following an eruption at Mount Agung on the island of Bali, and encourages travellers to check with their airlines about flight changes and cancellations.

A continuous volcanic eruption has been observed at Mount Agung since 9.25 pm on 25 November 2017.

The height of the eruption has been steadily increasing, ash is currently observed to a height of 30 000 feet (or 9144 metres) and a small amount of ash has fallen at Denpasar Airport and across Bali's south east. Denpasar's airport has been closed.

Eruptions and ash falls are likely to continue for at least the next 24 hours.

The advice the Bureau's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) provides to the aviation industry relies on ground based and satellite observations, pilot reports, and sophisticated forecasting models to monitor the current location and forecast movement of volcanic ash.

Airlines make their own decisions on when to fly based on their risk management approaches.

For more information: http://media.bom.gov.au/social/blog/1036/plane-talking-tracking-and-forecasting-volcanic-ash/

NOTE FOR MEDIA: An audio news release, featuring an interview with Aviation Services Manager Emile Jansons is available at: http://media.bom.gov.au/downloads/