Update: The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya alerts U.S. citizens that Mt. Agung, an active volcano in East Bali, is at its highest alert level, and continues to show increased volcanic activity. On September 22, the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) raised the volcano’s alert level from Level 3 to Level 4. Seismic monitoring and analysis by CVGHM indicates a possible, imminent eruption; however, the certainty of an eruption or its exact timing and duration cannot be established.
Restrictions: Local authorities have restricted access to the mountain within a 7.5 mile (12 kilometer) radius of the summit and have evacuated residents. Hiking and trekking on the mountain is strictly prohibited. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid travel to the area around Mt. Agung and monitor local media for updates. The peak of Mt. Agung is approximately 36 miles (58 kilometers) straight-line distance from Ngurah Rai Airport and popular tourist destinations of Kuta and Seminyak.
Status: Information on the volcano’s latest status can be found on the following websites: https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id/vona/, http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/ and https://www.bnpb.go.id/. The airport in Bali currently remains open, but travelers should continue to check the airport’s status at: https://www.bali-airport.com/id
Impact: Hazards from an eruption could include falling ash over a wide area. The danger areas surrounding Mt. Agung could potentially experience pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and volcanic mudflows. Ash emissions or a large eruption could also impact air travel in the region.
If you are in an area directly affected by the volcanic eruption:
- Follow evacuation orders issued by authorities, and evacuate immediately from the volcano area.
- If you are unable to evacuate, to protect yourself from falling ash, you should remain indoors with doors, windows, and ventilation closed until the ash settles.
- Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help with breathing.
- Stay away from areas downwind from the volcano to avoid volcanic ash.
Other guidance on what to do during a volcanic event can be found at https://www.ready.gov/volcanoes
Further information on volcanic hazards can be found at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/index.html
In the event of an eruption, we encourage U.S. citizens in Indonesia to notify friends and family of their wellbeing and to update their status on social media.
Persons with information or questions about U.S. citizens who require assistance should contact the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya at: +62 31-297-5300, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or +62 81-133-4183 for after-hours emergencies.
For further information about security in Indonesia:
- See the State Department’s travel websitefor the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Indonesia Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
- The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya (https://id.usembassy.gov/) is located at Jl. Citra Raya Niaga No. 2, Surabaya and can be contacted at +62 31-297-5300, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +62 81-133-4183. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General can also be reached by e-mail at SurabayaACS@state.gov.
- The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta (https://id.usembassy.gov/) is located at 5 Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jakarta, and can be contacted at +62-21 3435-9055/9054, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is+62-21 3435 9000, then press 0 for the operator. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Embassy can also be reached by e-mail at jakartaacs@state.gov.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
