All new updates - at the end of the article

Mount Agung erupted in Bali in September. The highest point of the island and the most revered mountain by the Balinese: for them, this volcano is sacred. And this volcano - however, has always been active, so of course it is not entirely accurate to say about him that he woke up. But it seems like it sounds more significant? :-)

One way or another, the magma inside the volcano makes its way higher and higher, the area around the volcano regularly shakes (the other day there was the strongest earthquake a little more than 4 according to Richter). And although no one can predict the date of the eruptions (even up to a month), the activity inside the volcano increases so regularly that everything can happen at any moment. About a week ago, villages living on the slopes of the volcano began to be evacuated. The local Ministry of Emergency Situations declared a zone within a radius of 12 km from the volcano dangerous for visiting. (Upd. for December: eruptions have begun, but not large ones, everyone is waiting for larger ones).

News sites around the world have blown this situation up to unprecedented heights (almost to headlines like “the eruption of volcano agung is the beginning of the end of the world”). Now you can’t even go to Facebook so that Agung-fm doesn’t start there :-)

Until the last moment, I was not going to write anything about Agung in the blog at all (enough announcements in social networks). But then I realized that it is still very difficult for a normal person to understand all this non-informational confusion. Adequate information without panic, God forbid 1%. I myself have figured out the topic of volcanoes today so much that a little more and you can go to study as a volcanologist. (Joke)

But if without jokes, then in this article I tell in detail how things are with the awakened volcano in Bali. Here is everything you need to know about Agung in general and about volcanoes in general. The information is backed up by authoritative sources, but by the way, those who read this blog already know about my meticulousness in terms of information :-)

Add to the end new information as soon as it appears. Also at the end will be given official and various other sources whose opinion can be trusted. Here we go!

Indonesia has over 100 active volcanoes

For the uninitiated, any mention of the words volcano and eruption in the same sentence automatically means panic. For those living in Indonesia (and neighboring countries close to the Ring of Fire, that is, the Pacific volcanic ring of fire), volcanoes are almost an ordinary phenomenon. There are more than 300 volcanoes around the perimeter of the ring (almost half of them in Indonesia), each of which erupts from time to time, causing earthquakes or tsunamis. Scary? Yes, but in moderation.

It was a small piece of history to at least understand how it was then. (By the way, in addition to 1963, there is more evidence that Agung also erupted in the following years: 1843, 1821?, 1808)

Below is a video of how it all looked in 1963. An interesting remark is that the main number of people died because, instead of evacuating, they considered it necessary to continue praying to the gods and doing ceremonies, appeasing the spirits of the volcano. In this sad sense #balitakoybali!

Volcanic eruption is not always a one-time attraction

The photo above is the Sinabung volcano in Sumatra (another island in Indonesia), which, for example, has been erupting since 2015. And so he again decided to issue. The photo is just fresh, literally taken the other day :-) This volcano either calms down, or gives out again. Who knows what our Agung will decide to do?

The hardest thing about the whole volcano situation (apart from the fact that no one knows when it will happen) is that no one knows how long it will all last.

For clarity, I will give just such a table with world statistics. In the left column, the duration of the eruption, in the right column, what percentage of eruptions occurs during this duration. For example, only 10% of volcanoes “erupted” in a day and calmed down. And a whole third of the volcanoes erupted within 6 months. An example of how this happens and how the processes are extended over time, I just gave in the case of the eruption of the 60s.

Source: http://www.volcanolive.com

What should tourists do?

First: turn off the panic mode and follow the official announcements.

Second: use trusted sources of information and watch less TV and read the yellow press. Because those guys have a task to raise ratings from viewing / reading, and not to provide verified information or educate people. I will write more about verified sources below.

Third . The island (and the country) are preparing for the possible consequences. Yes, Indonesia is, of course, not the Western world, and everything is a little bit through one place, but if there was a real risk of a threat to the entire island, tourists would have been evacuated long ago. But they are not evacuated and the local Ministry of Emergency Situations constantly reminds that if you are in the tourist south and do not climb to the volcano itself, then there is no danger. Therefore, if you are already in Bali or are just going, just read the article to understand all the risks and calmly continue your vacation.

Fourth. On the this moment the airport is functioning, planes are leaving and arriving. Nobody closed it in September and October, but UPD closed it for a few days in December. For information: for airports, there is also a classification in terms of danger in the event of an eruption. (It is dangerous for aircraft engines to get into the engine of volcanic ash). Air hazard classification levels are: green-yellow-orange-red. Now the level is orange (raised on September 26), which, as in the case of a traffic light, means “attention”. Red is when flights are banned because there is volcanic ash in the air. Now there is no ash, because there is no eruption itself. Therefore, until there is an eruption, flights will not be canceled. And as you understand, since there is no date for the eruption, it means that no one has information about whether your flight to Bali will be canceled, which will take place, say, in 2 weeks (yes, everyone asks these questions all the time, but no one has an answer to they cannot be). What to do? Check the information closer to the departure, what is the status of the airport, if it is in red, then it is closed. If again transferred to yellow / green, then you can generally relax. Your airline knows this information for sure, it is better to find out there.

By the way, what will happen if the airport is closed? Now (again official information) many other airports in Indonesia will be ready to receive tourists if landing in Bali is not possible. Of course, getting not to Bali, but to another island in Indonesia is hardly a solution to the problem for a vacation, but at least you can not worry about the fact that you will land somewhere :-) There is a bus service between the islands (not the best), but with Lombok can be reached by speedboat. There are also boats to East Java, although in one and a half to two hours. I think there will be options.

Fifth, if you are wondering whether or not to cancel a trip to Bali, then no one except you will answer this question. If I had tickets in my hands and I faced such a choice, I would not cancel anything. But I am me. I am not an alarmist and if necessary I am a bit of a fatalist. And most importantly, I studied enough information to know all the possible risks (and I know that there are not so many of them). But if you understand that you will not be able to rest in peace, thinking about the volcano every day and that in Bali you will grab your heart and drink valerian, then why put yourself under such stress? Even if you lose money for an unreturned ticket, why torture yourself. And I am writing this seriously. Your (nervous) health is more important than any money. Study the information (this article will help you) and do as your intuition tells you. We all know those wonderful situations when, for some reason, a person was late for a plane, and this plane crashed and everyone died. Perhaps your intuition knows better?

Sixth, if you have not taken tickets to Bali yet, it might be worth waiting for the situation to be resolved and not taking it. What to expect? Transferring the status of a volcano (not an airport) to another status. The current status is red AWAS/Danger. If they switch to orange, then the risk of an eruption is temporarily removed. Yellow and green mean that you can generally relax. Status information can be viewed on the Magma Indonesia website (map) or on the phone app of the same name.

Seventh. I myself (like many other expats) are now in Bali, we do not plan to “escape” anywhere and just continue to live our normal lives, following the activity of the volcano through a webcam :)

Will we be covered with ashes and we will suffocate from gases? Or not?

Everyone is afraid of the volcano, and I am most afraid of human stupidity, the inability of people to think in panic mode, and most importantly, the unwillingness to go and get acquainted with the information before turning on this very panic. When I write something on social networks on the topic “so calm down you panic”, I am usually accused (openly or behind my back) of being too frivolous about the situation. But for some reason, no one who considers himself so “serious” went and enlightened himself about volcanoes. How everything happens, what are the risks, what is dangerous and what is not, how other eruptions occurred. You should read this not on news sites, but on the sites of volcanologists explaining the causes of the action of volcanoes. On the websites of the Ministry of Emergency Situations different countries(especially countries in the ring of fire region, here these volcanoes occur constantly and emergency procedures have already been developed). But usually, the less a person knows, the more nonsense he continues to share on Facebook, re-posting the results of other people's panic attacks.

For example, the biggest panic attack among expats living in Bali was about what gas mask to buy and when to wear them so as not to die from toxic gases. It's not even funny. This is the idiocy of the tenth level. People spent hours on these discussions, but no one went and read about how real these gases are at all a real danger to people who are 50 km from the volcano. Even more than that. The other day, someone posted a link to an online store where they had to urgently run to buy special masks, which are the only ones that will save us from death.

I went to the mask manufacturer's website and read: for occupational hazzards. And I realized that it’s worse than people who spread panic from scratch, only people who are not able to learn any language other than their native language, while living abroad :-) So for these people I would like to separately explain that these masks are made for those who whose work/profession is related to volcanic activity. That is, those who hang out at the crater of the volcano and monitor its activity, those who will work as a lifeguard or are simply at risk during / after the eruption, etc. In the instructions for masks, just in case, it is even highlighted in bold and red that these masks are not for the general public, that is, not for the population. But only for those whose work (=occupation) is associated with danger (=hazzards).

I explain. Dying from the toxic fumes of the Agung volcano while sitting in your villa in Seminyak will not be easy enough. More likely to slip on the side of the pool and hit your head :-) Because if you are not at a forbidden distance of 12 km from the crater, then toxic gases will not happen to you. And masks are needed for completely different reasons, but more on that below.

The next point I want to draw attention to is that people confuse everything in a row. Lava and flows (pyroclastic) are dangerous, but God forbid they crawl 5-10 km from the volcano. Above, I gave distances tourist areas from Agunga crater. We also found out about gases that they cannot go far.

About ashes and masks

The only thing left is volcanic ash. Terrible terrible ash. Which will cover the earth and we will all die. Ashes, yes, they can fly very far, and the larger the eruption, the more ash. But in order for the ash to be a real inconvenience and danger, you either need to be right next to the volcano, or if a very large explosive eruption occurs AND the wind blows in the direction where the tourist south is located.

The most important thing we need to know right now is that ashes are NOT toxic. I will even tell you more: volcanic ash contains natural fertilizers (and you think why there is such a green and active vegetation around the Agung volcano, all thanks to how it was fertilized in the 60s). And I'm not kidding. Volcanic ash = fertilizer. Yes, and much more. If you now go to your favorite site iHerb.com and type volcanic ash in the search, you will see a lot of products containing something volcanic - face masks, ash soap, etc.

(For those who do not believe me that ash is not dangerous, here is an official document from New Zealand (they also know a lot about volcanoes) confirming this information.)

Ash poses a danger in completely different ways, which can be partially or completely avoided. For example, in terms of "breathing" the ash, the risk is similar to breathing in the dust. Asthmatics will have a very hard time, everyone else is very uncomfortable. Ash is not expelled from the lungs, so masks will be needed to protect the throat from ash (=dust) ingress, not to escape toxic poisoning. So you don't need a gas mask, you need a good tight mask that will stop ash particles from entering your lungs.

The same with the eyes, imagine you are caught in a dust storm (or on a kitespot, where the wind (and sand along with it) blows 30 m / s and you are lying on the beach sunbathing) - all this will be in your eyes. Need a mask/goggles to protect your eyes.

At the moment (upd. mid-December) none of the Agung eruptions have carried ash to either Ubud or the tourist south. Those who rushed to buy masks most likely never unpacked them.

That is, it is useful to have a mask and it will be useful to consider whether your house is airtight enough if the ashes still blow in your direction. Well, that is, if you have these ventilation windows in your house, as in all houses in Bali, you should think about how you close them in case of emergency. Since in case of heavy ash fall on some areas, it is recommended that at first it is simply “blocked” in the house and wait until everything at least settles. Again, IF IT HAPPENS AT ALL.

If you are asking yourself what kind of mask you need and what it might look like in the event of a volcanic ash fall, then something like this:

Photo from the Internet from the eruption in Chile. NOT FROM BALI :-)

Other risks with ashes. If you are close to a volcano and there is a lot of ash, it will cover everything with an even layer (sometimes very thick), from which, for example, the roof can collapse and fill you up. And the roofs will need to be cleaned of ashes. But ironically, there is such a statistic that part of the deaths after a volcanic eruption comes from the fact that a person climbed onto the roof to clean it, fell off the roof and broke his neck. That is, you never know where the end awaits you :-)

Don't forget about the wind

In the case of the amount of ash, no one can predict anything. On the positive side, it is now the rainy season and the wind is usually westerly, which means that all the ash will not be blown to Bali, but on the contrary from Bali towards Lombok and the Lombok Strait. But if the wind changes to the one that blows in the dry season, then oh-oh-she will just carry it from the volcano towards the tourist south.

But no one can tell you now how much ash will be, how much it will close you in your particular hotel. If you are not ready to take a risk, it is better not to go to Bali yet.

UPD. Once again, I will clarify that today, December 14, no ash was observed at all in the tourist south and is not observed. And in general, the life of tourists has not changed in any way, except that now the ascent to the Agung volcano had to be postponed until better times. But at the same time, the Batur volcano remains, on.

What to do if there is a massive eruption and the ash will still be brought to the south, where expats live and tourists rest:

Here is the instruction from BNPB (Indonesian Ministry of Emergency Situations), translated by Mikhail Tsyganov(our local Indonesia specialist).

It concerns exactly what to do with the ashes that will cover us :-) In a nutshell, it all comes down to the fact that you need to clog your house from ash and dust and, if possible, wait inside the house until the ashes settle. So there will be less contact with the ashes. At some point, the ashes will settle and then it will be safer to go outside.

1. Immediately close all windows and doors, block ventilation channels.
2. Turn off the air conditioners, go to enclosed spaces that are located ABOVE the surface of the earth.
3. Close the gaps in the door jambs with wet towels.
4. When going outside, wear long sleeves and trousers, use masks and goggles (not contact lenses)
5. Ashes are especially dangerous for those suffering from respiratory diseases and children, so it is better for them to stay indoors at all times.
6. After the explosion, try not to drive to the places where the ash falls the most.
7. If necessary, clean the ashes from the roofs of houses, as their weight can cause collapses
8. Help friends and neighbors and animals.

I'll add on my own:

• If you didn’t have a mask, and the ashes are pouring, then you can simply soak some rag in water and wrap your face with it. Ashes should not get into the respiratory tract and into the eyes. The skin can also be allergic.
• Ashes are a danger to all electronic gadgets, they should be covered with a film or something else, especially if they are outside (for example, an air conditioner or a washing machine).
• In addition, earthquakes are possible, in case of strong tremors, on the contrary, one should not be inside the premises (here it is better to be in the ashes than to die under a collapsed house). Well, in the event of strong earthquakes, it is worth pulling out all the electronics from the sockets.
• Remember about animals, they are best kept indoors.

Airport closures are the main inconvenience during the eruption

Apart from the ash, which may or may not “inflate” the whole of Bali, the most important inconvenience that a volcanic eruption can cause is the closure of the airport or flight restrictions.

For example, in early December, part of the flights were first canceled - towards Australia - as the ash was just “blowing” in the direction where the plane from Bali to Australia should fly. A little later, the airport was closed altogether for three days. Then they reopened and flights resumed.

What happens if the airport in Bali is closed? Your airline will either take you to another airport in Indonesia on neighboring islands and then take you to Bali by land and water transport, or offer you to rebook your ticket for other dates or even return the money. Everything will be at the discretion of your airline, but according to the experience of December, many airlines willingly returned money and changed the dates or directions of departure (for example, instead of Bali, they would fly to Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines).

That is, hypothetically, you will not get stuck in Bali itself or on the way to it if the airport is closed. Practically, I will tell you that the last thing you want on your vacation is to get to Bali on the bedpan or sit for hours or days at the airport for a transfer, waiting for your airline to come up with your option to get to Bali.

At the moment, there are three main airports that will receive Bali planes if the airport is closed (I remind you that it is currently open, information from December 14): this is an airport on the island of Lombok and two airports on the island of Java - this is Surabaya ) and Jakarta.

The road from Lombok to Bali will take about 8 hours. Maybe more, as sometimes there are queues for ferries that run between Lombok and Bali. As a life hack, it's easier to get there by speedboat, as it takes 2.5 hours instead of 5 hours, which goes by ferry. Whether these boats will go or not, you will need to find out along the way. By the way, if there is a lot of ash, then most likely the Lombok airport will also be closed.

Getting from Java is hell multiplied by ten :-) In a normal non-traffic mode, the road to Surabaya by car takes 12-13 hours. According to the experience of the last closure of the airport in Bali, there were traffic jams + a lot of people who wanted to leave like that, as a result, people spent 15-16 hours on the bus to Surabaya. Jakarta is even further away. It takes a day to get there by car, I think even longer by bus. In general, both of these options for movement will not bring you joy at all. It is better to wait out and not fly to / from Bali while the airport is closed.

And most importantly, we must be prepared for the fact that the airport may be closed again in the coming months. A major eruption has still not happened and is about to happen.

Summary. Fly or not to Bali?

If you have read this article and still cannot decide whether to fly to Bali or not, then I would say do not fly and do not plan a holiday in Bali in the coming months. Why so categorically? Because it seems to me that if you are embarrassed by the idea of ​​flying to an island with active volcano Then why force yourself. If every day you feverishly check the news and think that it is on your trip that trouble will happen, and even before the heap you are afraid of eruptions and tsunamis, and will jump on the spot from every shock, then you should probably postpone your trip to Bali.

If you read this article, you already have a ticket and you have the feeling that it is quite safe to fly to Bali, then I will support you in this - if I were in your place, then I would not cancel any trips. Grab your mask, check with your airline that they have not canceled flights and welcome to the island!

If you were thinking of flying to Bali in March-April and want to know if it would be safe then, then you should be upset: it is not known when a major eruption will occur. Re-read the history of the 60s. There eruptions occurred with a difference of several weeks and months.

In general, guys, I have provided you with a huge amount of information about volcanoes and the situation with Agung. But I can't decide for you.

And finally. Assistance to local villages located around the volcano

While we all (tourists and expats) needlessly worry about the ash and the toxicity of the volcano's exhaust, the real trouble is already experienced by the locals, who were quickly evacuated from their villages located on the slope of the volcano. Yes, it seems to be great that they were evacuated and their lives are not in danger. But now they're all in temporary campgrounds, many have been for almost a week, and are just waiting. They are waiting for something to happen and it becomes clear what will happen to them next. After all, while they stupidly cannot return home, and for how long they will not be able to, it is also unclear.

These people will live in evacuation camps until the volcano explodes or the danger status is removed. These people have a hard time, so against the background of our problems “is it worth canceling a vacation in Bali” - these are really real problems. Imagine that you were pulled out of your apartment, taken far away, given you a mattress in the gym among crowds of others just like you said, wait for new orders.

The government and local NGOs are collecting donations and all kinds of help with might and main. From various sources, I saw information that at least people are more or less provided with mattresses and food, but you yourself understand how much this is all at a minimum. And how long will it last. It may take a long time to wait for the eruption.

In general, if you want to participate, then there are guys like these who collect donations in an organized way.

Well, or at least show respect for the grief of other people, stop panicking in the “how is my trip to Bali” mode. As I wrote above, if tickets are on hand, study the information and make your informed decision. If there are no tickets, then perhaps it is worth waiting for the development of the situation. Imagine if an eruption does occur, let the government spend energy and money on the locals rather than dealing with the panic of tourists and allocating ships, trains, steamboats to transport you from one island to another if they close the airport.

BNPB PR service (MOES) on Twitter (constant updates):

Morning transfer to the volcano

By the time of the meeting, the driver of the transport company will arrive at your hotel or villa Maps Bali Tour. You need to wait for the car at the hotel reception or at the entrance to the villa. When all participants are assembled, the transfer will go to the foot of the volcano. Your guide will meet you at the parking lot. He will give out flashlights for the trip.

ascent

The ascent will begin around midnight. In total, it takes 4 to 6 hours. During the ascent, several stops are planned so that you can rest. In half that time, you will cover two-thirds of the way. The remaining third is the most difficult section: you have to climb a slippery rocky slope at an angle of 45 degrees.

At dawn, the guide will offer you tea, coffee, buns and bananas. You will have enough time to take photos and have breakfast. After that, you will descend back to the foot of the volcano. The descent will also take 4 to 6 hours. The driver will be waiting for you in the parking lot.

Transfer to the hotel
After all the guests are assembled, we go to your hotel. The time of arrival to the hotel depends on traffic jams and the remoteness of your hotel.

Important information:

• In accordance with clause 7.3.3 of the user agreement, the website company is not responsible for weather on the dates of your ascent. The weather in the Agunga caldera is unpredictable, fog, rain and low visibility are possible on the ascent, especially during the rainy season.
• Choose comfortable, comfortable clothes and shoes. The route to the summit of Agung passes through several zones: from dense jungle at the foot to slippery rocks at the top.
• People with diseases of the joints and heart are not recommended to climb.

Reviews

• div>.user-text">

  Natalia 11.11.2016

  Agung (company: Maps Bali Tour)

  Super

  We met the dawn on the mountain a few years ago, but when we returned to Bali, we could not resist the re-ascent. If you have good physical preparation, then it will be easy for you, but if not, you will have to sweat. But believe me, what you see is worth it.

• div>.user-text">

  Julia 12.10.2016

  Agung (company: Maps Bali Tour)

  Super

  We climbed Mount Agung. Altitude 3150 m. It was difficult. It was unrealistically difficult. Shortness of breath, clogged legs ... things wet with sweat. When you get up you don't feel like eating or drinking. When the rocky surface begins, it becomes cold and windy. Very strong wind. And it's scary and very dangerous. But when you reach the height, you scream like crazy. This view opens before you ... until you see it yourself, you can’t imagine it. You go down even longer than you went up. Sneakers, everybody's getting killed. Then you definitely can’t walk for half a day, and you don’t want to. For the sake of the view, emotions and a personal record, it is worth going there. But I recommend bringing warm clothes. And tune in to the fact that rising up you will curse yourself for having decided one day to do this.

• div>.user-text">

  Mike 24.09.2016

  Agung (company: Maps Bali Tour)

  Super

  They got up at night. The road, as we already learned at dawn, goes along the descending lava, through the jungle. Take more water with you, yes, it’s hard to climb with it, but you won’t be able to buy it anywhere, even before the ascent. Wear very comfortable shoes, do not eat tight. You will have to climb through huge cobblestones, even jumping somewhere and climbing harder with every meter. At the end of the climb, you will be rewarded with an amazing view. For such an ascent, good physical preparation is required.

• div>.user-text">

  Anna 04.07.2016

  Agung (company: Maps Bali Tour)

  Super

  We traveled to Bali in June. For two weeks we visited almost all corners of Bali, were engaged water sports, but the most vivid impression, without a doubt, was left from the ascent to the peak of Agung volcano. If you are in good physical condition and your head is not spinning, then I strongly recommend you to make this ascent! Night jungle shrouded in darkness and frightening with incomprehensible sounds, narrow paths with cliffs along the edges, a rapidly changing landscape, climbing steep cliffs, a bewitching view of the island in full view, and, finally, a huge crater bowl at the peak - this is the minimum of what awaits you .

• div>.user-text">

  Daria 21.02.2016

  Agung (company: Maps Bali Tour)

  Super

  The incredible power of the mountain and great view that opens from the mountain are worth all the effort. But to go up there, you still need to prepare. Climbing Agung is better at night, while it is not hot. It can be chilly upstairs, so bring a jacket. Rise from two to four hours, depending on physical fitness. It is worth taking water and chocolates and sandwiches with you. Flashlights and sneakers are a must. A camera is a must. If Mr. Agung seems unbearable to you, then take a closer look at Batur. It is lower, but no less beautiful.

• div>.user-text">

  Maria 23.01.2016

  Agung (company: Maps Bali Tour)

  Super

  Amazing sensations to meet the dawn on the very high point Bali islands - Agung volcano! Infinitely star-studded sky, a green island as if on the palm of your hand with traces of lava from a previous eruption, a krator, a shadow from a volcano, neighboring islands and mountains, white fluffy clouds!! And it's all in one place!! But to enjoy this beauty you have to try very hard !! Get heavy! Only for people in good physical shape! Be sure to take a guide

On the island of Bali, which is part of Indonesia, the Agung volcano "woke up" once again. Authorities have warned local residents of the precautions they must take.

Volcano Agung regularly throws columns of smoke and ash into the air. Two years ago, the geological formation resumed activity after many years of sleep. In 2019, the activity of the volcano continues. There are no human casualties yet, as well as serious damage to the island. But the authorities are urging their fellow citizens to take precautions.

The situation in Bali today

The geological formation started to become active yesterday. Apparently, the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali is also continuing today. The media has no information that the situation on the island has stabilized. Since its “awakening”, the volcano has released a column of ash into the sky, 2 km high. After Agung's eruption, ash headed towards three districts of Bali. The activity of the geological formation has caused the cancellation of flights in international airport that operates on the island.

Indonesian authorities have banned tourists and residents of Bali from approaching the volcano closer than 4 km. The third level of danger was announced on the island (there are 4 in total). Residents of Bali have been given masks to protect them from volcanic ash. This is the second time Agung has been active on the island in last month. At the end of March, the volcano also “woke up”. Then the geological formation also released a column of ash. Residents of Bali did not notice the smoke, but heard a roar that lasted about two minutes. Then the airport was not closed.

Why is the Agung volcano eruption dangerous?

There are other volcanoes on the territory of Bali. Agung "woke up" less often than others, but always fraught with danger. In the 60s, Indonesian scientists recorded the most powerful volcanic eruption in the country. This is how Agung woke up. Two years ago, another activity of a geological formation provoked earthquakes. Thus, Agung is considered a potentially dangerous volcano, which is closely monitored by local specialists.

Scientists said that the consequences of the activity of the volcano affect the climate of Bali. The decision to evacuate the local population and close the airport is made by the authorities based on the amount and intensity of movement of volcanic ash.

Life on the Indonesian island of Bali, popular among tourists, is frozen in anticipation of the eruption of Mount Agung. The evacuation from potentially dangerous areas of the island began on September 22 and affected almost 100,000 people. To date, the situation has not fundamentally changed.

The lifespan of a volcano is measured in millennia, so waiting for its eruption in a few days or weeks is not such a dramatic event, the rosregistr portal informs. However, hundreds of thousands of Balinese who were forced to leave their homes as part of the evacuation felt this danger very well.

The eruption of Mount Agung on the Indonesian island of Bali is virtually imminent. According to the authorities of the country, volcanic activity has reached a critical stage.

However, the Indonesian authorities emphasize that predicting exact time volcanic eruption is impossible. In Bali for several weeks announced the most high level dangers of the eruption of the volcano Agung. Volcanologists have already recorded hundreds of tremors.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency, stressed that volcanic activity continues to increase, and seismic tremors are becoming more frequent.

“There is a certain probability that the volcano will erupt, but we do not know exactly when this will happen,” the volcanologists emphasize.

Volcanologists monitoring Bali's Agung Volcano say the danger of an eruption could persist for up to several months. It is also possible that there will be no eruption at all. And no one can say for sure.

"There are instances where there was some activity that went on for six years and it didn't always end in an eruption," seismologist Devi Kamil was quoted as saying by BBC News.

I would like to note that in Indonesia there are a total of about 150 active volcanoes. So, volcanic island Krakatoa was destroyed powerful eruption in 1883. Then about 40 thousand people died. Last time the eruption was in 2012, and the local volcanoes are still dangerous. Another one fiery mountain Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java erupts about once every seven years, with minor eruptions occurring every six months.

Last September, a terrible tragedy occurred in Mexico. But before people had time to recover from the earthquake, a new threat loomed over the country - the active volcano Popocatepetl. Because of this "smoking hill" (this is how the name of the volcano is translated), a red level of danger was declared, as it is highly active.

In addition, the awakened volcano Manaro threatens to destroy the island of Oba in pacific ocean. The authorities of the state of Vanuatu have already turned to the authorities of other countries for help, as they are not ready to cope with the current situation on their own.

Previously, seismologists have determined which volcano threatens to catastrophe on a universal scale. Magma bubble, according to experts, is located near Naples in Italy. The rocks of the Phlegrean fields can cause an eruption of catastrophic proportions. In Italy, there are also other dangerous volcanoes. Mount Vesuvius is still active, which caused the death of Pompeii in 1979. It last erupted in 1944. Another fire-breathing Mount Etna on the island of Sicily is the highest active volcano in Europe.

The highest volcano in Africa is Kilimanjaro. It last erupted about 200 years ago. Some scientists believe that he will wake up again soon. The risk of another eruption still remains in Japan, despite the fact that Mount Fuji has been dormant for three hundred years. One of the most dangerous and active is also Kilauea volcano in Hawaii and is now in its most active phase.

AT last years activity of a dormant volcano in Yellowstone increases national park in the USA. Scientists believe that it goes into an active state, and yet it is supposedly one of the most powerful volcanoes in the world.

The day before, experts also recorded an ash ejection on the Karymsky volcano in Kamchatka. The height of the pillar reached five kilometers. Most often, ash emissions do not pose a danger to local residents. However, seismologists still warn tourists against hiking in this area, and also do not recommend flying over the volcano. In August, a Russian cosmonaut managed to capture one of these emissions from space.

Explosive Indonesia

Every year, seismologists register about seven thousand earthquakes in this country. The number is certainly impressive. But don't let this fact discourage you from visiting Indonesia. The lion's share of tremors is recorded only by sensitive instruments. But, nevertheless, seismologists vigilantly monitor the activity of the bowels under the islands of Indonesia. After all, tremors can be symptoms of a much more dangerous phenomenon - a volcanic eruption. These mountains in Indonesia are truly deadly.

Oh, Bali - Bali! The island is a fairy tale... The island is a dream... But since the beginning of August 2017, the tourist flow here has turned from fat into a very narrow one. Especially before the beginning of November. And the reason for this is the Agung volcano and its likely eruption.

Agung is a volcano that stands here on the island and periodically tickles the nerves of all the locals and tourists at the same time. The last time the Agung volcano tickled them about 54 years ago, and now it began to wake up again in August 2017. And for a second, this is not just a volcano. This is a super volcano! And this means that if he shied away, it would not seem enough!

To whom and what will it not seem enough how to behave on the island, if it still starts to erupt? And in general: is it dangerous to relax in Bali in 2017-2018? In today's article, first-hand - from an employee of our editorial office, who has been there for a month and is not going to leave yet. 🙂

By the way, if you want to visit one of Bali's volcanoes, then it can be done. - approx. editions.

Volcano Agung in Bali

Volcano Agung is translated from the Indonesian language as "big". And it was right next to (only 50 km.) from this dangerous colossus that we settled exactly 1.5 months ago. While still in Russia, we already heard that a large dangerous mountain began to wake up and could begin to erupt at any moment. When we found out about this, tickets had already been bought, and we decided not to change our plans, despite the danger.

In addition, this is not the first time we have been on the island and we have already managed to make a few Russian friends who live here permanently. They told us that the danger exists only directly for people who are close to the volcano. This means that the situation is very local. The worst thing that can happen is that the airport will be closed. But even in this case, you can get here from the capital of Indonesia - Jakarta by water.

In general, after weighing all the pros and cons, we realized that we would go. The last few days before departure, we feverishly followed the news from the media, realizing that journalists are forced to exaggerate everything. Today, news about Agung still keeps many Russians in suspense. But! First things first…

Volcano Agung woke up

Agung woke up! Like thunder among clear sky the news has been breaking out on the internet and on the radio since August 2017. Personally, I am still surprised - how did this information not get on TV ?! It is thanks to this that my mother still does not know anything about this and lives quietly in the Arctic Circle, not suspecting anything about the danger that wanders 50 km from her beloved daughter. 🙂 But on the radio and on the Internet, journalists painted a very sad picture ...

That they say the Agung volcano woke up today, and if anything, it will not spare anyone! Someone, of course, madly rejoiced: “It’s too good for all those who travel to Bali! Let them suffer too, bastards! :-)” Others were wildly frightened and returned their tickets, others decided to rest in a safer place, the fourth - like scumbags like us, packed their bags and went at their own peril and risk. What exactly was the risk?

But which one:

• could close the airport, and for a long time. I would have to fool around with tickets, look for a way through the ferry from Jakarta - and this whole adventure is not very comfortable and very long.
• the volcano can still really shirk at any moment, and for sure no one guarantees anything. Well, that is, it will not be easy for those who are in the affected area. The airport will be closed, there will be problems with the supply of food on the island, volcanic ash will fall on your head for some time ... A real Silent Hill (whoever is in the subject understands it). :)
• and to the heap: poisonous substances can spread throughout the island through the water from the volcano, and it can also spill on the heads of locals and tourists - poisonous rain ... And then everyone will not be happy! Not only the inhabitants of the mountains ...

“Beauty”… Isn't it?!

At least that's how the media portrayed the situation. Yes, the media, of course, love to embellish everything, but damn it ... After all, no one gives a guarantee that everything will not be like that at all! 🙂 We understood that.

But upon arrival on the island, we were met by a smiling Balinese who assured us that there was no danger. That Agung changed his mind about erupting and again decided to fall asleep ... And there was no real threat to tourists, and then in 1963 no one else really had cars or motorcycles - so people got into a situation in which many died ... They just didn’t fully believe that it would explode, and as a result, they didn’t have time to leave the affected area in time ... Something like that!

Finally, he reassured us with the words that his family right now lives 4 km away. from the epicenter and you should not worry at all!

Of course, it encouraged us - I will say frankly. But, doubts still remained ... Then we decided to go straight to the affected area and see the handsome man with our own eyes! So, the Agung volcano and the latest events in Bali - through the eyes of eyewitnesses :).

Latest news about Agung by the beginning of November

News about Agung in early November on the network has already subsided. The latter date back to mid-October. Just at this time, the young man and I went there. We waited out the full moon, as volcanologists were afraid that the biggest risk of an explosion was just on the full moon, got on the bike and drove off.

The locals told us that the most best view the mountain opens from the neighboring super-volcano - Batur. Which, by the way, for the common good, has long been sleeping soundly. He is many times greater than Agung. And if Batur explodes, then the whole island may accidentally go under water ... But the current informational reason is Agung in Bali today.

Journey to active Agung

The news about the Agung volcano in Bali, as I said, did not stop us from driving straight into the affected area - that is, 9 km. from his mouth. On the way to meet the “scarecrower” of a million tourists, we met:

1. Gorgeous tangerine grove with fresh tangerines.

2. Stunning view of the neighboring mountains from Batur volcano.

3. Bush! Oh, Gods, this bright bush.

Super, as always - beautiful road to the place and amazing views along the way. We took plenty of pictures, filmed on camera and moved directly to Agung.

UPD from 28.11: Agung volcano eruption

And now it would seem that everyone has already relaxed, and Agung still made an eruption! Honestly, when I just sat down to write this article, the locals already all said in unison that that was it - there would be no eruption. Take it and get started!

On November 21, just after we met my young man's mother, who came to visit us from Russia, Agung began to erupt. Just like ordered! 🙂 But I hasten to reassure all those suffering from blood and sensation: nothing terrible is happening yet.

The volcano stands to itself and slowly soars. This is the steam eruption of Agung. The only moment that really annoys tourists and locals is a small flood. Because of huge amount hot evaporation on the island spilled such a large-scale tropical downpour that they say that even slippers floated on the road! 🙂

Why are they talking? Yes, because we ourselves are not in Bali now, but nearby on the Gili Islands. And today we saw even a small tornado over Bali from the island of Gili - Air. I hope that in a couple of days, by our arrival, this whole apocalypse will end and we will be able to safely move to Thailand! 🙂

Agung in Bali today

The activity of Agung in August-September 2017 made many local residents tense up in a serious way. They regularly prayed to local spirits to put them to sleep again. dangerous mountain. They held magnificent ceremonies in their temples. And it seems that their collective intention is bearing fruit. Volcano Agung - erupts only by ferry. The ceremonies themselves are held here in such temples:

The eruption of Agung in Bali does not really cause serious damage to the island, just by some miracle!

Perhaps that is why for 3 km. to the affected area, when we went to the volcano in October, some Balinese women stopped us, stuck rice on our foreheads, lit up our bike, put some wooden beads around my neck, twisted around, whispered something and let go with God farther! 🙂

Perhaps that is why for 3 km. some Balinese women stopped us before the kill zone, stuck rice on our foreheads, lit up our bike, put some wooden beads around my neck, twirled around, whispered something and let go on with God! 🙂

It didn’t calm us much, of course, but it somehow became easier ... Both in the soul and in the pockets ... So - as the priestesses of the island of dreams, of course, carried out the procedure for clearing karma, well, not for free. Cleaning karma now costs about 400 rubles with our money. Well, you see, life is more expensive! 🙂

Agung volcano eruption in 1963

On the way to the Agung volcano, of course, my faithful and I once again discussed the history of 1963, when people really suffered (several hundred). Did they really pray to their Gods near the vent until the last, hoping that he would change his mind?! Getting acquainted with the local mentality, we are increasingly coming to the conclusion that yes. And so it was. The local people honor their land, their home, their place of birth. And they don't care if even this place is in such a dangerous zone.

The possible eruption of Agung in Bali does not prevent them from living a normal life. The one that their ancestors lived. Here is an inscription stating that right now we are in the zone of destruction or exclusion, as it is also called:

And here are the people who continue to fall asleep and wake up here ... Take their children to school, work, have breakfast, lunch and dinner ... Life goes on:

To this day, there is a forum about Agung in Bali, where people discuss whether he will explode or not. Many members of the VKontakte island community also raise this topic. But lately, most have agreed that the danger has passed ...

But, you know, when you stand so close to the mountain ... The sensations are simply unimaginable ...

I would have gone further, straight to the foot, but my young man turned out to be wiser and more prudent, however, as always :). We drove by, and for dessert a beautiful beach awaited us, which is also located in the exclusion zone. Its name is Virgin Beach. Here he is handsome...

They say that before the sand here was completely white. But after Agung's eruption in 1968, it mixed with volcanic lava and became like this - with black patches. But this is also wonderful ... Soon I will write a big review of all the beaches of the island and, perhaps, I will give it an honorable first place in the top of my heart :).

And here is the view of the Agung volcano from the entrance to the beach - Virgin Beach:

Conclusions about Agung in 2017

Agung on the map paradise island Bali is a thorn in the head of many tourists… This dangerous neighbor keeps all residents from Karangasem to Ubud awake, he makes everyone remember and realize very well that life is just a journey, and we, the guests, are on this earth. No matter how important we seem to ourselves, such a big volcano as Agung can drastically intervene in the fate of everyone and disrupt that very “solid” tomorrow, cross out all our plans, smash all ideas, dreams and hopes to shreds ...

So far, it just stands and releases powerful steam columns upwards, but not a single person could guarantee that Agung's eruption will stop on this ... Anything can happen! In some moment…

Perhaps that is why the inhabitants of the island are closest to the life of Buddhists and any enlightened ones. The main wisdom tells us: “the past has passed, the future has not yet come, there is only here and now ...” And not a single force in the world guarantees any of us that we will live in this world for even a minute more ... That is why, the Balinese rejoice! Smile every day. They smile even during the funeral of their relatives. And not just smile, but sing and dance! 🙂

But something I completely went into philosophy ... Let's get back to the facts:

Volcano Agung- the ferry is erupting right now. So far, nothing serious has happened, but no one gives any guarantees.