Two new land formations appear near Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano

Following a series of eruptions in early September that disrupted national aviation and caused hundreds of flight cancellations, two new island-like formations have emerged near the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia. Satellite imagery analyzed by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) confirmed the existence of these structures located less than one kilometer from the main vent. Specifically, the formations were identified at 760 meters northwest and 495 meters southwest of the volcano.

Rita Susilawati, head of the PVMBG, confirmed the satellite findings but cautioned that it is premature to classify these as permanent features. She noted that the new land masses are subject to potential destruction by marine erosion from waves. The Anak Krakatau, meaning "child of Krakatoa," is situated in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra, approximately 150 kilometers east of Jakarta. It originated from volcanic activity within the caldera formed by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of the original Krakatoa.