Bali's Mount Agung volcano erupting
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The alert level remains at three after it was downgraded from the maximum level of four on October 29.
A spokesman for Bali's international airport said it was currently operating normally.
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| The alert level remains at three after being downgraded from the maximum level of four on October 29. Photo: Supplied |
National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that people should stay away from the six to 7.5 kilometre volcano exclusion zone specified by the Centre for Volcanology on October 29.
"The status is still the same - level three," Mr Sutopo said. "Volcanic activities have not shown any increase in earthquakes."
Ngurah Rai International Airport spokesman Arie Ahsan said visual observation via pilot reports was ongoing.
"The wind is blowing to the east with tendency towards southeast," he said.
Virgin Australia said it was closely monitoring activity at Mt Agung in Bali.
It said the current aviation colour code from the Agung Volcano Observatory has recently been updated to orange.
"We encourage guests booked via travel agents or third parties to ensure Virgin Australia has your mobile number, should we need to contact you in the event of any changes," Virgin Australia said in a statement.
"Guests with travel insurance are also encouraged to check with their insurer about their individual circumstances."
The National Disaster Management Agency described the eruption as "phreatic", which is a steam-driven explosion that occurs when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by molten rock, known as magma, lava, hot rocks or new volcanic deposits.
"At this point this is very, very small," tweeted New Zealand volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner.
"Right now this is not a serious eruption but of course this can change," Dr Krippner said
"Time to make sure you are prepared and keep an eye on official Agung information."
An Indonesian government press release said a potential danger was heavy ash rain that could spread outside of the danger zone.
"It is expected that all communities living around Mount Agung and on the island of Bali, immediately prepare a mask to cover the nose and mouth and eye protection as an effort to anticipate the potential danger volcanic ash," it said in a statement.
Refugee Kadek Nadi, who lives in the exclusion zone about four kilometres from the summit, was told by Fairfax Media the volcano was erupting.
He said he was currently at home in Pasar Agung but his family were at the refugee camp.
"Dark smoke is now coming from the summit," he said. "I am heading down (the mountain) now."
In late October there were 134,500 evacuees living in 390 refugee camps in nine regencies throughout Bali.
However after the threat alert was downgraded all but 29,000 have returned to their homes.
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