Fears of volcanic eruption force over 120,000 to evacuate in Bali
Over a hundred thousand people have been evacuated from their homes on the Indonesian island of Bali due to fears of Mount Agung potentially erupting.
The threat of an eruption at Mount Agung was raised to the highest level (four) by Indonesia's Geological Agency on Friday evening.
The region continues to be shaken by daily tremors from the mountain, which volcanologists say indicates a high chance of an eruption.
A man observes the Mount Agung with binoculars at a viewing point in Bali, Indonesia, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
More than 120,0000 villagers living around the volcano have been officially evacuated to temporary shelters, sport centers, village halls or to the homes of other relatives, according to the Associated Press.
Officials are advising residents and tourists not to come within a 12-km (7.5-mile) radius of the volcano.
Mount Agung last erupted in 1963, emitting an ash cloud as high as 20 km (12 miles), the Associated Press stated. Roughly 1,100 people were killed. During this eruption, ash reached Indonesia's capital of Jakarta, which is located about 1,000 km (620 miles) away.
If the volcano erupts before Wednesday and a similar ash cloud is produced, the expected winds would direct it initially southwestward away from the volcano over Bali and then to the south into the Indian Ocean.
Most of the cabins have been destroyed in the neighboring village after the eruption of Agung volcano in Bali on March 26, 1963. (AP Photo)
Around midweek, a westerly shift in the wind could disperse ash across Java should an eruption occur.
How much ash and how long it is emitted would determine the extent of how air travel will be affected downstream of the volcano. Those planning to travel to or from Denpasar should prepare for possible delays or cancellations.
According to the Geological Agency, Mount Agung's previous eruption also suggests that the area in the vicinity of the volcano may face dangerous falling debris from the eruption, as well as pyroclastic and lava flows.
Fast-moving pyroclastic flows are a mixture of hot gases and volcanic matter, such as cinders and hot lava bombs.
"The extreme temperatures of rocks and gas inside pyroclastic flows, generally between 200° C and 700° C (390 and 1,300° F), can ignite fires and melt snow and ice," according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Elsewhere, the Manaro Voui volcano in Vanautu erupted on Tuesday forcing more than 7,000 people to be evacuated.
The volcano last erupted in 2005 forcing thousands of evacuations on the island of Ambae, which has a population near 10,000.
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