Officials Rule Out Chain Reaction in Six Volcano Eruptions

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Six volcanoes in Indonesia erupted on August 31, 2026. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) at the Geological Agency under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) confirmed that no single volcano triggered the others.

The rare occurrence prompted public concern. PVMBG head Rita Susilawati explained that Indonesia lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire and has 127 active volcanoes.

“Simply put, each volcano has its own magma chamber, and the processes leading to an eruption differ from one volcano to another. We found no evidence of a single geological process triggering all these eruptions simultaneously on August 31,” Rita said in a press statement on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

The six volcanoes are:

• Mount Ibu in North Maluku

• Mount Semeru in East Java

• Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)

• Mount Ili Lewotolok in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)

• Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait

• Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra

Rita emphasized that volcanic eruptions should not automatically be linked to every earthquake. She noted that tectonic earthquakes do not automatically trigger volcanic eruptions.

“A connection between an earthquake and an eruption must be proven by changes or spikes in a volcano’s internal monitoring data. Therefore, coincidental timing between an earthquake and an eruption cannot immediately be taken as proof that the two are linked,” she said.

Amid the eruptive activity, Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra showed increased activity.

On August 31, 2026, at 12 p.m. local time, the PVMBG raised Sinabung’s status from Level II (Caution/Waspada) to Level III (Watch/Siaga) after the volcano emitted an ash column reaching approximately 3,500 meters above its peak. The public is urged to heighten vigilance and follow PVMBG’s recommendations.

Meanwhile, Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait remains at Level III (Alert/Siaga), a status in effect since July 2, 2026. Its August 31 eruption produced an ash column approximately 200 meters high.

Activity at Anak Krakatau has raised concerns among coastal communities in Banten and Lampung about the possibility of a tsunami. PVMBG has urged the public not to panic, stressing that eruptions at Anak Krakatau do not automatically trigger tsunamis.

PVMBG advises the public to adhere to hazard recommendations for each volcano. For Mount Sinabung, residents must clear the danger zone within a three‑kilometer radius of the summit.

In addition to volcanic material hazards, the public is warned to remain alert to the potential for rain‑triggered lahars, particularly along river channels originating from the summit area. (Misni Parjiati)