Mount Agung Eruption

Bali, Indonesia, 2017

© Roni Bintang

The first eruption of Bali’s Mount Agung volcano in more than 50 years surprised everyone. For young Balinese, it was the first time seeing the graceful mountain become dangerous. For thousands of tourists on the island, it meant unexpected disruption to their travel plans.

In the last eruption of Mount Agung in 1963, eruptions reached as high as 26km above sea level and pyroclastic flows traveled down the mountain. It is believed around 1,900 people died.

The 2017 eruption was a phreatomagmatic eruption, where hot magma interacting with water inside the volcano turns water into steam and causes a huge amount of pressure. This causes an explosion that sends magma, rock, and tiny pieces of ash flying into the sky.

The ash plumes shut down the airport and villages were evacuated. It reminded everyone that the big mountain in Bali’s heart could wake again at any time.