Volcanic ash can be deadly for even the most advanced fighter jets. from melting engines to near-zero visibility, these tiny particles pose risks. Here’s why volcanic ash remains one of aviation’s most dangerous threats.

<p>Volcanic ash can be deadly for even the most advanced fighter jets. from melting engines to near-zero visibility, these tiny particles pose risks. Here’s why volcanic ash remains one of aviation’s most dangerous threats.</p>

What if a fighter jet gets caught in volcanic ash?

<p>During a dramatic eruption,&nbsp;Indonesia's Marapi volcano which is situated in West Sumatra province unleashed a plume of volcanic ash reaching a staggering 3,000 metres (9,843 ft) into the sky.</p>

<p>Media reports quoting the country's disaster management agency BNPB said that the&nbsp;eruption occurred at 2.54 pm local time (0754 GMT).</p>

<p>The volcanic eruption was accompanied by the forceful dispersion of volcanic ash over nearby districts, leaving roads and cars coated in a layer of ash. This was seen in images released by BNPB, Reuters reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response to the eruption, authorities have implemented strict safety measures, prohibiting residents and visitors from engaging in any activities within a 3-kilometre radius of the volcano's crater.</p>

<p>The alert level for Marapi mountain has been raised to the second-highest.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Ade Setiawan, an official at the local disaster management unit BPBD, while speaking over the importance of precautions, reportedly said, "We have distributed masks to residents and encourage them to stay inside their houses."</p>

<h2><strong>Masks distributed</strong></h2>

<p>The distribution of masks is being done by authorities to mitigate the health risks associated with inhaling volcanic ash particles, which can pose respiratory problems.</p>

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<p>Indonesia, located on the Pacific's notorious "Ring of Fire," is home to 127 active volcanoes, according to the volcanology agency.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indonesia’s Merapi volcano spews clouds of ash up to 2,000 metres <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BernamaNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BernamaNews</a><a href="https://t.co/loARIR4Mns">https://t.co/loARIR4Mns</a><br />
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🎥 PVMBG <a href="https://t.co/GXLXMCuwt4">pic.twitter.com/GXLXMCuwt4</a></p>
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<p>The frequent volcanic activity in the region shows the country's vulnerability to natural disasters and the authorities are vigilant and monitoring the preparedness.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-rebel-groups-mounting-nationwide-offensive-against-junta-665473">Myanmar rebel groups mounting nationwide offensive against junta</a></strong></p>

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<p>Indonesia is a vast archipelago comprising thousands of islands within the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone encircling the Pacific Ocean, characterised by high seismic and volcanic activity.</p>

<p>The tectonic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire is a result of the movement of several tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface.</p>

<p>Indonesia, specifically, sits at the convergence of several major tectonic plates, including the Indo-Australian Plate, the Pacific Plate, and the Eurasian Plate. The interactions of these plates create a dynamic geological environment, leading to the formation of numerous volcanoes and a heightened risk of earthquakes.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


During a dramatic eruption, Indonesia's Marapi volcano which is situated in West Sumatra province unleashed a plume of volcanic ash reaching a staggering 3,000 metres (9,843 ft) into the sky.

During a dramatic eruption, Indonesia's Marapi volcano which is situated in West Sumatra province unleashed a plume of volcanic ash reaching a staggering 3,000 metres (9,843 ft) into the sky. Media reports quoting the country's disaster management agency BNPB said that the eruption occurred at 2.54 pm local time (0754 GMT). The volcanic eruption was accompanied by the forceful dispersion of volcanic ash over nearby districts, leaving roads and cars coated in a layer of ash. This was seen in images released by BNPB, Reuters reported. In response to the eruption, authorities have implemented strict safety measures, prohibiting residents and visitors from engaging in any activities within a 3-kilometre radius of the volcano's crater. The alert level for Marapi mountain has been raised to the second-highest. Also Read | Southern Philippines shaken by magnitude 6.6 earthquake following previous day's 7.6 quake Ade Setiawan, an official at the local disaster management unit BPBD, while speaking over the importance of precautions, reportedly said, "We have distributed masks to residents and encourage them to stay inside their houses." Masks distributed The distribution of masks is being done by authorities to mitigate the health risks associated with inhaling volcanic ash particles, which can pose respiratory problems. Also Read | Israel-Hamas war: We have no desire to harm Gaza's population, says Israeli PM Netanyahu Indonesia, located on the Pacific's notorious "Ring of Fire," is home to 127 active volcanoes, according to the volcanology agency. Indonesia’s Merapi volcano spews clouds of ash up to 2,000 metres #BernamaNewshttps://t.co/loARIR4Mns 🎥 PVMBG pic.twitter.com/GXLXMCuwt4 — BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) December 2, 2023 × The frequent volcanic activity in the region shows the country's vulnerability to natural disasters and the authorities are vigilant and monitoring the preparedness. Watch | Myanmar rebel groups mounting nationwide offensive against junta × Indonesia is a vast archipelago comprising thousands of islands within the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone encircling the Pacific Ocean, characterised by high seismic and volcanic activity. The tectonic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire is a result of the movement of several tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. Indonesia, specifically, sits at the convergence of several major tectonic plates, including the Indo-Australian Plate, the Pacific Plate, and the Eurasian Plate. The interactions of these plates create a dynamic geological environment, leading to the formation of numerous volcanoes and a heightened risk of earthquakes. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | Indonesia's Marapi volcano erupts, blanketing West Sumatra with layers of ash

<div>Mount Etna, which has been erupting regularly since February, has left thousands of towns in Sicily facing bankruptcy.</div>

<p>The disposal of ash is subject to a premium of approximately €20 (£17) a cubic meter in Italy since it is considered special refuse.</p>

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<p>Boris Behncke, a volcanologist at Catania's National Institute of Geophysics, says Etna spews tens of thousands of cubic metres of ash with each eruption, adding that it is a serious issue for municipalities.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>On Monday, Italian authorities had to allocate €5m to compensate a number of villages struggling to pay for cinder removal, which costs up to €1m for every eruption.</p>

<p>Council official Alfio Previtera, representing the town of Giarre, one of the most affected by Etna's ash, described the situation as "very serious." He says that everything is covered in ash - streets, squares, rooftops, balconies, and cars.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the town of Giarre, more than 25,000 tons of ash have fallen since March, forcing a lot of people to use umbrellas to protect themselves.</p>

<p>To cope with this emergency, many towns have built up massive debts, said Previtera. adding that they are at the brink of a financial collapse.</p>

<p>Last week, the Senate enacted legislation de-classifying ash as special waste, so as to prevent the villages from going bankrupt.</p>

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<p>The law allows ash to be used in agriculture, and for other purposes like to make the soil more fertile, or in construction to act as a cement or filler.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Silvio Grasso, engineer and head of Giarre's civil protection, says the law will result in significant reductions in disposal costs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the problem persists as Etna which has been erupting since February is not yet finished erupting.</p>

<p>In Catania, researchers studying the ash have found that it appears to reflect the "primitive magma" that comes from the mountain's deep core and has a higher concentration of gas, explaining the eruption's unusual heights of 2,000 metres.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-mount-etna-erupts-in-spectacular-manner-364436">In Pics: Mount Etna erupts in spectacular manner</a></strong></p>
There are thousands of residents and farmers living and working on the volcano, who are enduring a near-constant rain of cinders. A meeting has been proposed to discuss the inconvenience the citizens are experiencing.&nbsp;

<p>After the Italian government earlier this month lifted the requirement to wear protective masks against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, local authorities have once again recommended wearing them outdoors for protection against ash.</p>
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Mount Etna, which has been erupting regularly since February, has left thousands of towns in Sicily facing bankruptcy. The disposal of ash is subject to a premium of approximately €20 (£17) a cubic meter in Italy since it is considered special refuse.

Mount Etna, which has been erupting regularly since February, has left thousands of towns in Sicily facing bankruptcy. The disposal of ash is subject to a premium of approximately €20 (£17) a cubic meter in Italy since it is considered special refuse. Boris Behncke, a volcanologist at Catania's National Institute of Geophysics, says Etna spews tens of thousands of cubic metres of ash with each eruption, adding that it is a serious issue for municipalities. On Monday, Italian authorities had to allocate €5m to compensate a number of villages struggling to pay for cinder removal, which costs up to €1m for every eruption. Council official Alfio Previtera, representing the town of Giarre, one of the most affected by Etna's ash, described the situation as "very serious." He says that everything is covered in ash - streets, squares, rooftops, balconies, and cars. In the town of Giarre, more than 25,000 tons of ash have fallen since March, forcing a lot of people to use umbrellas to protect themselves. To cope with this emergency, many towns have built up massive debts, said Previtera. adding that they are at the brink of a financial collapse. Last week, the Senate enacted legislation de-classifying ash as special waste, so as to prevent the villages from going bankrupt. The law allows ash to be used in agriculture, and for other purposes like to make the soil more fertile, or in construction to act as a cement or filler. Silvio Grasso, engineer and head of Giarre's civil protection, says the law will result in significant reductions in disposal costs. However, the problem persists as Etna which has been erupting since February is not yet finished erupting. In Catania, researchers studying the ash have found that it appears to reflect the "primitive magma" that comes from the mountain's deep core and has a higher concentration of gas, explaining the eruption's unusual heights of 2,000 metres. Also read | In Pics: Mount Etna erupts in spectacular manner There are thousands of residents and farmers living and working on the volcano, who are enduring a near-constant rain of cinders. A meeting has been proposed to discuss the inconvenience the citizens are experiencing. After the Italian government earlier this month lifted the requirement to wear protective masks against COVID-19, local authorities have once again recommended wearing them outdoors for protection against ash.

Clean-up costs from Etna threaten to bankrupt several Sicilian towns

<p>Thousands of foreign tourists were expected to leave Bali by plane Thursday following a nearly three-day airport shutdown sparked by a rumbling volcano on the Indonesian holiday island.</p>

<p>The alert level on Mount Agung remains at the maximum, but a change in wind direction blew towering columns of ash and smoke away from the airport, prompting authorities to re-open the island&#39;s main international gateway on Wednesday afternoon.</p>

<p>The move raised hopes for some of the 120,000 tourists stranded after the surge in volcanic activity grounded hundreds of flights since Monday, sparking travel chaos and forcing the evacuation of villagers living in its shadow.</p>

<p>Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines.</p>

<p>&quot;Since the airport reopened yesterday, some flights have resumed operation and things are gradually getting back to normal,&quot; said airport spokesman Israwadi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.</p>

<p>More than 4,500 people have now flown out of the airport, authorities said.</p>

<p>On Wednesday evening, domestic carrier Garuda said it would start flights to several cities across the vast archipelago nation, while AirAsia flew to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.</p>

<p>However, the airport on nearby Lombok island -- also a popular tourist destination -- closed again Thursday after ash and smoke drifted in its direction.</p>

<p>Millions of tourists visit the palm-fringed island hotspot annually. The majority are Chinese, followed by Australians, Indians, Britons and Japanese, according to the immigration office, which added that nearly 25,000 foreigners live on the small Hindu-dominated island.</p>

<p>Tens of thousands of Balinese have already fled their homes around the volcano -- which last erupted in 1963, killing around 1,600 people -- but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave in case of a full eruption, disaster agency officials have said.</p>

<p><strong>High alert</strong><br />
Experts said Agung&#39;s recent activity matches the build-up to the earlier disaster, which ejected enough debris -- about a billion tonnes -- to lower global average temperatures by around 0.3 degrees Celsius for roughly a year.</p>

<p>While the volcano appeared to be belching less ash and smoke on Thursday, experts urged caution and have warned a major eruption could happen at any moment. It has already experienced a series of mini eruptions.</p>

<p>&quot;The potential for an eruption is still there, but we cannot predict how big the eruption is going to be,&quot; said Devy Kamil, a senior volcanologist from the Indonesian volcanology agency.</p>

<p>&quot;The volcano is still on the highest alert level.&quot;</p>

<p>Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption -- caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater.&nbsp;</p>

<p>So-called cold lava flows have also appeared -- similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava of popular imagination.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indonesia, the world&#39;s most active volcanic region, lies on the Pacific &quot;Ring of Fire&quot; where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year seven people were killed after Mount Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra erupted. A 2014 eruption at Sinabung killed 16.</p>


Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport was shut for three days

Thousands of foreign tourists were expected to leave Bali by plane Thursday following a nearly three-day airport shutdown sparked by a rumbling volcano on the Indonesian holiday island. The alert level on Mount Agung remains at the maximum, but a change in wind direction blew towering columns of ash and smoke away from the airport, prompting authorities to re-open the island's main international gateway on Wednesday afternoon. The move raised hopes for some of the 120,000 tourists stranded after the surge in volcanic activity grounded hundreds of flights since Monday, sparking travel chaos and forcing the evacuation of villagers living in its shadow. Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines. "Since the airport reopened yesterday, some flights have resumed operation and things are gradually getting back to normal," said airport spokesman Israwadi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. More than 4,500 people have now flown out of the airport, authorities said. On Wednesday evening, domestic carrier Garuda said it would start flights to several cities across the vast archipelago nation, while AirAsia flew to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. However, the airport on nearby Lombok island -- also a popular tourist destination -- closed again Thursday after ash and smoke drifted in its direction. Millions of tourists visit the palm-fringed island hotspot annually. The majority are Chinese, followed by Australians, Indians, Britons and Japanese, according to the immigration office, which added that nearly 25,000 foreigners live on the small Hindu-dominated island. Tens of thousands of Balinese have already fled their homes around the volcano -- which last erupted in 1963, killing around 1,600 people -- but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave in case of a full eruption, disaster agency officials have said. High alert Experts said Agung's recent activity matches the build-up to the earlier disaster, which ejected enough debris -- about a billion tonnes -- to lower global average temperatures by around 0.3 degrees Celsius for roughly a year. While the volcano appeared to be belching less ash and smoke on Thursday, experts urged caution and have warned a major eruption could happen at any moment. It has already experienced a series of mini eruptions. "The potential for an eruption is still there, but we cannot predict how big the eruption is going to be," said Devy Kamil, a senior volcanologist from the Indonesian volcanology agency. "The volcano is still on the highest alert level." Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes. However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption -- caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater. So-called cold lava flows have also appeared -- similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava of popular imagination. Indonesia, the world's most active volcanic region, lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities. Last year seven people were killed after Mount Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra erupted. A 2014 eruption at Sinabung killed 16.

Flights resume as Bali's volcano-hit airport reopens

<p>Indonesian authorities on Tuesday extended the closure of the international airport on the resort island of Bali for a second day over fears of a volcanic eruption.</p>

<p>Bali&#39;s Ngurah Rai airport will remain closed until at least Wednesday morning local time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The Volcanic Ash Advisory shows that the plane routes have been covered by volcanic ash, this is dangerous for the flights,&quot; Indonesian AirNav official Wisnu Darjono said.</p>

<p>Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometers&nbsp;into the sky, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded.</p>

<p>Authorities on Monday warned that the rumbling volcano could erupt at any moment, as they raised alert levels to maximum and accelerated a mass evacuation. The international airport closure left thousands of tourists stranded on the Indonesian holiday island.</p>

<p>Some 40,000 frightened people have fled their homes around the volcano but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said.</p>

<p>The exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometers away from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta, has also been widened to 10 kilometers.</p>


Bali's Ngurah Rai airport will remain closed until at least Wednesday morning local time

Indonesian authorities on Tuesday extended the closure of the international airport on the resort island of Bali for a second day over fears of a volcanic eruption. Bali's Ngurah Rai airport will remain closed until at least Wednesday morning local time. "The Volcanic Ash Advisory shows that the plane routes have been covered by volcanic ash, this is dangerous for the flights," Indonesian AirNav official Wisnu Darjono said. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometers into the sky, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded. Authorities on Monday warned that the rumbling volcano could erupt at any moment, as they raised alert levels to maximum and accelerated a mass evacuation. The international airport closure left thousands of tourists stranded on the Indonesian holiday island. Some 40,000 frightened people have fled their homes around the volcano but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said. The exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometers away from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta, has also been widened to 10 kilometers.

Bali airport closed for second day over fears of volcano eruption

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