Simmering Volcanoes in Indonesia

By Barrie | October 26th, 2007 | No Comments

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The archipelago nation is home to 129 active volcanoes, including 21 on Java. Now, scientists in Indonesia are closely monitoring three simmering volcanoes across the disaster-prone nation, including the offspring of infamous Krakatau off Sumatra island. Ash has been spewing some 200 metres (yards) into the air since Tuesday at Anak Krakatau, or Child of Krakatau, the volcano left behind after Krakatau blew in 1883 and killed some 36,000 people, scientist Agus Budianto told AFP. Anak Krakatau forms part of a popular international tourist destination about 40 kilometres off Sumatra island. Visitors typically tour the waters around the volcano by boat.