Active Volcano In Bali Perhaps On The Verge Of A Major Eruption

Mount Agung Activity Causes U.S., U.K. & Australia To Issue Travel Warnings

In addition to hurricanes that have thrashed Texas, the Caribbean and Florida, and a pair of earthquakes that have rattled Mexico, another natural disaster may be about to happen on the planet.

A volcano may be about to erupt in Bali. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said an eruption is a “definite possibility.”

Nugroho said hundreds of shallow volcanic earthquakes were recorded on Mount Agung in recent days. As a precaution, several countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, have warned their citizens against traveling to Bali in case there is an eruption.

Even if the volcano does blow, it will present no immediate threat to tourists.  Even so, ash fall from an eruption would likely force the closure of Bali’s international airport, affecting tourism and hindering the ability of people to leave if they chose to do so after an explosion.

Bali, of course, is a Pacific island destination, especially popular among young Australian tourists and surfers. It’s casual but lively nightlife is a big part of Bali’s attraction to these groups.

The island had approximately five million visitors in 2016.

Mount Agung last erupted was in 1963. More than 1,000 people were killed. Mount Agung is currently under the  highest level volcano alert and more than 75,00 people have been evacuated who live near the mountain, while several other residents further away from the volcano are also leaving the area.

Shops and businesses in Amed, a string of traditional fishing villages with a view of Agung some 25 miles away, were open Tuesday and tourists were hiking up hills to get a look at the volcano and to take photos.

That’s all before the volcano blows anyway.