Bali’s Mount Agung finally erupts

Bali’s Mount Agung finally erupts
By Daisy Doctor


Bali’s Mount Agung has begun erupting, more than two months after the initial warning.

Agung began erupting at 5pm local time, with officials stating the risk and eruption were small.

The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre confirmed the activity with spokespsren Sutopo Purwo Nugroho saying the eruption was minor, and cloud had risen roughly 700 metres from the spout of the volcano.

No airlines have stopped flying to the region just yet, with Virgin and Jetstar promising flight schedules will continue as normal.

Check out images of Agung below:

Screen Shot 2017-11-22 at 12.19.14 PM

There has also been no changes to the evacuation zone around the volcano, which is currently 7.5 kilometres from Agung.

On September 20, the initial warnings told locals and tourists to keep clear of Mount Agung, which is situated around 72 kilometres from Kuta.

The post said:

“Indonesia: high level of volcanic activity at Mount Agung in Bali. Aussies should monitor local media & follow instructions of local authorities.

“Local authorities advise against outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, in the caldera areas of the mountain.”

Authorities Indonesia then raised the alert level for Agung following an increase in seismic activity in the form of an earthquake, leading authorities to issue a high alert and evacuate areas within 7.5 kilometers.

Then in late October, after five weeks of evacuations and changing travel plans, Bali’s Mount Agung was finally given the all clear.

As the ‘no-go’ zones continued to widen, so did the numbers in evacuees, which peaked at roughly 140,000 people.

Fears were caused due to an earlier eruption from Agung in 1963 which killed 1600 people.

 

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