A Volcano Makes Its Island Bigger
Monday, October 12, 2026180 words3 minutes1090 reads
Anak Krakatau, a volcano in Indonesia's Sunda Strait, changed the shape of its island after a long eruption in early September. The eruption ran from late September 4 to early September 6 and lasted about 25 hours. Lava flowed from the volcano toward the sea.
When lava meets seawater, it cools and hardens into rock. The lava cooled and became hard rock. As more rock built up at the edge of the island, the coastline moved outward. Indonesia's Geology Agency said this process added 32.8 hectares, or about 81 acres, to the volcanic island.
The agency compared Sentinel satellite images from August 8 and September 15. The images helped scientists compare the island on August 8 and September 15. On September 23, images also showed two new land formations: one northwest and one southeast of the coast.
The formations were found 760 meters and 495 meters from Anak Krakatau's coast. Scientists confirmed that they exist, but they still need more data. The formations could be new eruption vents, where lava comes out, or piles of material left by the eruption.
