This Volcano In Bali Just Erupted And The Photos Are Terrifying
Volcanic eruptions on the Indonesian resort island of Bali has left tourists stranded, flights cancelled and nearby towns evacuated.
Airlines have been issued a "red warning" about the danger of volcanic ash in the skies close to Bali. It is the second major emission from the Indonesian island volcano this week, and flights have been majorly disrupted.
Photos of Mount Agung's eruption have since flooded social media, showing the thick plume of smoke (13,100 feet high) and red magma erupting from the volcano's crater.
#MountAgung volcano in #Bali continues its eruption with a column of ash that is up to four km high. Flight warnings have been raised to red, Xinhua reports, citing national disaster management agency pic.twitter.com/lae7K8lWY1
Roads, cars and buildings near the volcano are currently covered in ash, while scores of flights have been cancelled.
Mount Agung's activity has entered the 'magmatic eruption phase', an official at the volcanology and geological disaster mitigation agency said. In non-science terms, that means that the volcano is still spewing ash, but it's entirely possible there could be a strong, explosive eruption at any time.
Residents have been evacuated from 224 different points around the island and Lombok International Airport on Pulau Lombok, the island east of Bali, has closed temporarily, a spokesman for Bali's main international airport said.
Bali’s Mount Agung erupts; ash clouds force closure of Lombok airport https://t.co/lOBpwQocU8 pic.twitter.com/L8kg7AW098
GATES #MountAgung #Bali #Volcano via @AFPphoto pic.twitter.com/2YImyMBg1g
Famous for its beaches, temples and surf, Bali attracted nearly 5 million visitors last year but tourism in the Indonesian resort island has slumped since September when Agung's volcanic tremors began to increase.
The volcano, which could be climbed by tourists before its recent eruption, majestically rises over eastern Bali at a height of just over 3,000 metres. It last erupted in 1963, killing more than 1,000 people and destroying several villages.
Any tourists travelling to or out of Bali are being urged to contact their airline or travel agent to find out the status of their flight.