A Volcano Makes Its Island Bigger
Monday, October 12, 2026217 words3 minutes1090 reads
Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano grew after a continuous eruption from late September 4 to early September 6. The episode lasted about 25 hours. Lava flowed from the crater toward the sea, where it cooled into solid rock. Indonesia's Geology Agency said the volcanic edifice, the body of the volcano, expanded by 32.8 hectares, about 81 acres.
The conclusion came from Sentinel satellite imagery. By comparing images from August 8 and September 15, the agency measured a larger land area around the volcano. This is a visible example of land being built by volcanism: molten rock reaches the coast, cools, and adds to the shoreline.
Images from September 23 also showed two new land formations. One was about 760 meters northwest of Anak Krakatau's coastline; the other was about 495 meters southeast. Their line points through the main crater. Officials said the formations exist, but further analysis is needed to tell whether they are new eruption vents or deposits of erupted material.
The name Anak Krakatau means Child of Krakatau. The 1883 Krakatau eruption destroyed Danan and Perbuatan and part of Rakata, creating a caldera. Underwater activity began in 1927, and Anak Krakatau later became a permanent island above sea level. Its growth is real, but volcanic landscapes can also change again through erosion, collapse, and future eruptions.
