Overview
- Satellite images from Landsat 8 and VIIRS captured a powerful Anak Krakatau eruption that sent ash and gas high into the atmosphere during the early September event.
- Heavy ash forced temporary closure of eight airports on Java and Sumatra and disrupted almost 3,000 flights before operators staged cleanups and inspections.
- Authorities have reopened most airports after airworthiness checks of runways and aircraft to limit further passenger delay and guard against engine and systems damage from ash.
- Independent fact-checkers and Indonesian agencies identified several widely shared videos as false, including an AI-generated clip from late 2025, 2018 footage by volcanographer Martin Rietze, and a storm video from El Salvador licensed via ViralHog.
- The volcano remains at an elevated alert level with intermittent Strombolian activity, prompting continued monitoring and public health guidance because past flank collapse at Anak Krakatau has triggered deadly tsunamis.