Updated volcanic ash alert for Mount Agung

29/11/2017

The Bureau of Meteorology is advising the aviation industry that the potential for a larger eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung volcano is now high.

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

Increased seismic activity overnight has signalled the increased potential for a larger eruption.

Indonesian authorities advise that the ground alert for the volcano remains at Level 4 (AWAS).

Ash is still rising to a height 25 000 ft (7620 M) in the vicinity of the volcano. Small amounts of ash fall have occurred over the last 3 days across the south-east of the island of Bali including Denpasar airport.

As a result, all airlines have now suspended operations to Bali and operations at Lombok.

There are no reported casualties and ground impacts are largely contained within the exclusion zone which was extended to 10 km in response to volcanic mudflow (lahar) activity on the lower slopes.

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/