Volcanic Eruption Alerts
Regional volcano monitoring & ash cloud advisories
Southeast Asia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and hosts many active volcanoes, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines. Eruptions rarely threaten Singapore directly, but volcanic ash clouds can disrupt aviation and reduce air quality. For the latest regional situation, visit the NEA regional volcanic eruptions page.
Active Volcanoes Near Singapore
Sinabung (Sumatra)
~600 km from Singapore
Highly active stratovolcano in northern Sumatra. Frequent explosive eruptions since 2010.
Merapi (Java)
~1,200 km from Singapore
One of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Produces pyroclastic flows and ash plumes.
Anak Krakatau (Sunda Strait)
~900 km from Singapore
Notable for the 2018 eruption that triggered a deadly tsunami affecting coastal Java and Sumatra.
Taal (Philippines)
~2,500 km from Singapore
Complex volcano near Manila. The 2020 eruption sent ash plumes high into the atmosphere.
Agung (Bali)
~1,700 km from Singapore
Significant 2017–2019 eruptive episode disrupted Bali aviation.
Rinjani (Lombok)
~1,800 km from Singapore
Active stratovolcano; 2018 eruption closed Bali airport for days.
Volcanic Ash & Aviation
Volcanic ash is a serious hazard for aircraft. Ash particles are sharp, abrasive and melt at jet-engine operating temperatures, so flying through an ash cloud can stall engines and sandblast windscreens. When a major eruption occurs, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs) — including VAAC Darwin, which covers Indonesia and the surrounding region — issue advisories and airlines reroute or cancel flights. The Indonesian Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) assigns each volcano an alert level from I to IV:
Level I — Normal
No eruptive activity.
Level II — Advisory
Unrest; 3 km exclusion zone.
Level III — Watch
Eruption likely; 5–7 km exclusion zone.
Level IV — Warning
Eruption imminent or under way; 7+ km exclusion zone.
Engine damage
Ash melts on turbine blades, can stall all engines.
Visibility loss
Pitot tubes and windows can be blocked by ash.
Air quality
Fine volcanic ash can fall as dust and worsen air quality.
If Volcanic Ash Reaches Singapore
- Stay indoors and close windows and doors
- Wear an N95 mask if you must go outside
- Avoid driving — ash makes roads slippery
- Protect electronics and water supplies from ash contamination
- Check PSI and PM2.5 readings — volcanic ash inflates PM10 and PM2.5
- Confirm flight status with your airline — routes may be rerouted around ash clouds
Related Regional Hazards
No volcanoes here. Plenty next door.
Indonesia has more than 100 active volcanoes. Singapore has none. The local problems are ash on the wind and flights that cannot fly through it. Sinabung, Agung and Rinjani have all sent fine ash this way on southwest flow. Changi can delay even when nothing reaches the ground.
VAAC Darwin issues the aviation ash advisories. Indonesian CVGHM runs the alert levels. The first local sign is often a jump in PM10 and PM2.5.