Eruption in Bali: smoke rose four kilometers, but there was no panic. Eruption of Mount Agung in Bali: flights canceled, tourists are asked to be careful Travel to active Agung

The volcano in Bali, in addition to being a tourist attraction, plays a big role in the cultural and spiritual life of the Balinese people. There are two volcanoes on the island of Bali - Mount Agung and Mount Batur. The proximity to formidable giants could not but affect folklore and fine arts. Volcanoes Batur and Agung also influence the daily lives of the islanders and the climate of Bali.

Volcano Agung

Most high volcano in Bali rises 3142 meters above sea level and is the highest point of the island. The name can be translated as “great mountain”. Belongs to the type of stratovolcanoes. The crater of the volcano measures 500 by 200 meters. Located in the eastern part of the island. During the history of observations, the volcano has erupted only 5 times - in 1808, 1821, 1843, 1963-1964 and in 2018. Moreover, the eruption of 1963 was the most powerful and destructive and was accompanied by the descent of mud flows from the slopes of the volcano.

According to some sources, crimson sunsets in Europe were caused by this eruption. It is estimated that about 2,000 people living near Agung died. There was little volcanic activity in the 1980s. In 2000-2001, thermal anomalies occurred at the foot of Mount Agung. On this moment Agung is dormant, but this volcano in Bali is under the close attention of Indonesian volcanologists.

Volcano Agung also affects the amount of precipitation in various regions. Clouds coming from the West of the island are blocked by the slopes of the mountain and as a result this area receives more moisture. Due to this, the eastern regions of Bali are drier and hotter.

Volcano Batur

It also belongs to the type of stratovolcanoes and rises to 1717 meters. It is located in the northeastern part of the island in the Kintamani region and is one of the island’s attractions. The outer caldera (circus-shaped basin) of the volcano measures 10 by 13.5 km. and was formed 29,300 years ago during colossal eruptions. Lake Batur is located in the inner caldera of the volcano. Volcano Batur is quite active and the last major eruption was in 1968, as evidenced by frozen basaltic lava flows.

The last significant activity of the volcano was observed in 2000, when a column of ash rose 300 meters. In 2012, UNESCO declared the area of the volcano's caldera a Geological Park. For tourists who want to enjoy the stunningly beautiful view, a similar excursion is organized. The ascent, accompanied by a guide, will take only 3 hours. A popular tour is also being organized to the volcano, during which you can see Batur itself and other attractions of the center of the island.

The significance of the volcano in Bali in culture and religion

In Balinese-Hindu mythology, the center of the universe, its axis of the universe, is the sacred Mount Mahameru, which the Gods later split and the two most sacred mountains in Bali arose - Agung and Batur. The Balinese believe that the tops of volcanoes are the abode of gods and deified ancestors, who descend to people several times a year (during ) and then return again. All Balinese villages are oriented towards Agung, and the Balinese always try to sleep with their heads towards the top, since according to beliefs, the human soul is in the head and in this case it will be closer to the gods.

The patron saint of Mount Agung is considered to be Batara Mahadeva (in traditional Hinduism, Shiva), who personifies the masculine principle. Legends of the island say that before the appearance of Agung and Batur, the island of Bali was a lifeless and barren plain. The legend is partly right - the island owes its mineral-rich soil fertility to volcanoes.

On the slopes of Mount Agung is the most important and revered temple in Bali - the “mother” of all temples in Bali. According to ancient Balinese texts, once every 100 years it is in this temple that the unique and most important ceremony of cleansing the whole world from sins is held - Eka Dasa Rudra. Such a ceremony was planned in 1963.

When the volcano woke up in February 1963 and began to make itself felt, the high priests began to claim that this was a very bad sign from the gods and that the Balinese had chosen the wrong date for the ceremony. However, then Indonesian President Sukarno, who invited a foreign delegation to Bali, ordered the ceremony to be held anyway.

However, already on March 18, explosions occurred and the active phase of the eruption began, during which a large number of people died. Although the Besakih temple was located on the slope of the volcano, it remained undamaged and the lava passed a few meters from the buildings. The Balinese found an explanation for this miracle in the fact that the Gods decided to take pity on the majestic temple. Although another temple, Pura Pasar Agung, was not so lucky and was completely destroyed. The most significant volcano in Bali can also be recognized in decorations during ceremonies and holidays, when the Balinese decorate the thresholds of their houses with a tall, curved bamboo pole called a penjor. This pole, bending under the weight of gifts to the gods at the end, follows the contours of Agung and symbolizes him.

Lake Batur in the caldera of the Batur volcano is considered sacred by the Balinese and is one of the abode of the Balinese goddess of fresh water Dewi Danu, in whose honor the Ulun Danu Batur temple was erected (also dedicated to her in the Bedugul region).

It is believed that the sacred lake is fed by 11 springs. The water from them then flows to other islands through underground channels. Swimming is prohibited in the lake; you can only fish and irrigate the land.

There are many legends about this. One of them tells how the king on the island of Java, Sri Jaya Pangus, and his wife Kang Ching Wee did not have children for a long time. And the king decided to leave his wife and go on a long journey. After a storm, he was thrown ashore on a magical island. After trying to explore the island, he decided to meditate. To do this, he found himself a place near a beautiful and clean lake(Batur). When he woke up, he saw the goddess Devi Dana in front of him. The goddess seduced him and he stayed with her. After many years of waiting, Kang Ching Wee's wife went in search of her husband. However, I found him in Bali already married to Dewi Danu and with a child. Out of resentment, she ordered her guards to kill Sri Jai. In response to this, Devi Danu turned the king and queen into statues. The son became the heir to the throne and the dynasty continued to exist.

The second most important volcano in Bali is especially revered by. They live isolated from the rest of the world in the village of Trunyan on a small strip of land. It is located between the Batur caldera and the lake. This tribe is known for burying the dead simply by placing them under a special magical tree. Local residents explain their isolation with a legend. According to it, a Javanese prince fell in love with a goddess living in the branches of a huge Banyan tree. She agreed to marry him only on the condition that he would not bring anyone with him. And she forbade him to show him the way to the village. The Bali Aga believe that eruptions and other disasters are the cause of the spiritual pollution of the people in Bali.

In the 2000s, after another volcanic activity, the Balinese decided to appease the gods. They remembered the catastrophic destruction in 1963-1964. For this, it was decided to hold a ceremony on the Batur volcano. Pilgrims from all over the island took part in it. They surrounded the volcano with many kilometers of sarong (white cloth) and left a large number of offerings near the crater. After this, activity decreased significantly and the mountain calmed down.

The volcano in Bali, like on many other islands of the archipelago, has always destroyed and created. Therefore, the islanders always treated him with respect. They created an aura of divinity and greatness around him. It is very difficult to imagine Balinese culture and religion without Agung and Batur volcanoes. Modern development geology and the study of processes in the earth's crust provides answers to many questions. However, for the Balinese, the volcanoes of Bali are still sacred and inhabited by gods and spirits. This makes the island's culture unique and distinctive.

Bookings for flights from Moscow to the island of Bali, where the airport is closed due to a volcanic eruption, have decreased tenfold today. Volcano Agung has not ejected such a column of ash for half a century. And now, according to various sources, it rises to a height of four to eight kilometers. Everything within a radius of eight kilometers is covered with a thin layer. Among those who cannot fly from the island are from five to six thousand of our compatriots.

The red-hot wall of smoke and ash over the island of Bali exceeds 4 kilometers. An orange glow at the base is a sign that lava has already gushed from the mouth of Mount Agung. sacred mountain I woke up on the weekend. Today the alarm level has been raised to the maximum level - level four. Cooled streams of volcanic rock mixed with water and mud - here they are called lahars - reached the foot of the mountain by morning, threatening the villages located nearby. About 100 thousand people were ordered to leave the adjacent zone within a radius of 12 kilometers.

There is a high probability that an even more powerful eruption will occur in the near future than the day before.

There is a real collapse at the only airport in Denpasar. Along with local residents, about 60 thousand tourists are held hostage by the volcano and cannot fly from the resort island. Five thousand flights have been canceled and until Agung calms down, not a single airline will risk taking the plane into the air. There are now about 6,000 Russian citizens in Bali. But our people are not so easily frightened by the local vagaries of the elements.

“We live 60 kilometers from the volcano. Yesterday they reported that some flights had been cancelled, today the airport was closed. Last night we traveled 25 kilometers to the foot of the volcano. It’s very beautiful, the eruption of smoke and ash. We talked to the locals, they say it’s It’s not dangerous. Life goes on, schoolchildren go to school. We think that it will rise and calm down,” says Sofya Selina.

“The ashes began to settle, we are 30 kilometers away. Our house is in ashes, we understand that we need to move away from the volcano. Small child, he is 5 months old. We need to go further. You are breathing normally at the moment. The most dangerous thing is the ten-kilometer zone, an explosion can occur there,” says Alexey Vimana.

Now the only way to leave Bali is by ferries. The Russian Embassy in Indonesia posts all the necessary information in in social networks. Ferries transport passengers to neighboring islands. The airports there are still open.

The most powerful eruption in the history of mankind is considered to be the Indonesian stratovolcano Tambora. It is located next to the island of Bali. In 1815, more than 70 thousand people died from it, and because of the ash cloud that rose into the sky, the so-called “volcanic winter” began, which provoked crop failure and famine throughout the northern hemisphere.

Agung is a volcano of the same type. Its track record is not so impressive so far, but during the eruption in 1963-64, no one seemed to have enough. About one and a half thousand people died then, and even residents of Northern Europe observed the volcanic twilight.

The situation with the Agung volcano in Bali and is it safe on the island now?

The situation with the Agung volcano in Bali and is it safe on the island now?
You won't believe it, but I am grateful to the eruption of Mount Agung for cleansing the island! It became so deserted and atmospheric, the hellish traffic jams on narrow roads disappeared, hotels and car rentals dropped sharply. For example, in the east of Bali, in the Amed area, we lived next to the sea in a villa with a pool for 12 euros with breakfast for two. The photo shows a view from the terrace of our Bayu Cottages hotel overlooking the volcano. Maybe the Balinese themselves, in pursuit of money, will remember the spiritual, the most important thing, since Agung gave them such a pause. Now is the time to feel the pulsation of the island, its atmosphere, as in the pre-tourist era.

I was here exactly a year ago, in December 2016 - there were a lot of tourists, although it seemed to be out of season due to periodic rains... In tourist places there is a riotous lifestyle, money flows like a river, discos and carousing until the morning. In 2017, the picture changed dramatically... I have been on the island since November 30, and for two weeks it seemed to be extinct... The media did their job - they exaggerated the danger as best they could, they lied about the evacuation of tourists, that everyone here was covered with ashes, and will soon be covered with lava 🌋

Flying from Montenegro to Bali, I knew that the plane to Denpasar would be canceled due to ash, as the wind was blowing towards the airport. During the flight to Jakarta on board the Turkish, I learned that it was finally opening. This was a sign over 0 everything will be fine! The next morning we landed on the Paradise Island, .

Do you know why I didn’t trust the media? Since I myself live in tourist Montenegro, I am tired of their lies... For example, because of joining NATO, Montenegrins suddenly fell out of love with Russians, they show hostility, that visas will soon be introduced and it is not clear what will happen to their real estate. Absolutely nothing has changed! You need to turn on your brain, and not watch TV, or read me, I immediately write a post on all current topics. The second theme of summer 2017 is fires in Montenegro. Allegedly, the whole country is on fire, tourists have been evacuated, and it’s dangerous to rest—that’s what the Russian media said. Can you imagine the flow of questions and panic from tourists I endured every day? Yes, the Lustica peninsula really burned for 2 months due to 40-degree heat and winds, as did in some places the district of Bar and northern regions. But not the resorts of the country!

Therefore, my reaction to the panic of my friends before our flight to Bali ranged from laughter to nerves. All the 17 days that I have been here and will be 13 more, the air is clean, I have not been covered in ash, the sea and ocean are warm, food and housing are cheap. The volcano no longer exhibits aggressive eruptions. And only Agung knows what will happen to him next. Anyone interested in the topic of volcanoes in Indonesia, namely they created the country and there are about a hundred active here, should read Mikhail Tsygankov, here. And even a volcanologist won’t tell you whether everything has gone downhill or vice versa. For example, at night there was an earthquake off the ocean coast and in West Java - 7.3 and 6.9 on the Richter scale. This is next door huge island, not comparable to Bali. Our Agung volcano reacted a little and there were even small earthquakes in the evening, but I didn’t feel it, although I live in this area. You can see the ring of fire with volcanoes and tremors. Photo of Agung at sunset is alien, our days, after the eruptions in November, part of the top broke off and fell into the crater

I advise you to relax and live ordinary life like the Balinese do

They fish, sow rice, collect mangoes and rambutans

If you are going to new year holidays to Bali, you don’t know whether to fly or return tickets - I would fly. By the way, for last days I saw a sharp increase in tourists in Ubud, which means the panic has passed. The Indonesian authorities assure that it is now safe to holiday in Bali, especially in the south of the country, where the main resorts and large hotels, and the distance from Agung is at least 70 km.

Only evacuated local residents 12 km, building tent cities. It is near the mountain village of Besakih, which was evacuated. I took a photo the other day

The map shows northeast Bali and the area around the volcano, which is now in the danger zone, where the color is red - people have been evacuated. I vacationed in the south in Canggu, in Ubud in the center of the island (they are not on the map), then to the right of the yellow color, now to the left. Indeed, there are abandoned villages, a feeling of Balinese Chernobyl, but this is temporary, and this is not a mass tourism area, why should you worry?

There are signs where there is a danger zone in Bali. But entry is free

We went to a similar place - to the Besakih temple at an altitude of 1 km on the southern side of Agung - to the most important and largest in Bali. This magical place, wrapped in gray clouds, met us with a downpour. But we calmly leave our comfort zone, having fun everywhere. The atmosphere here is indescribable, you can feel the place being prayed for, although I am not a fan of other people’s religious buildings, but Besakih made an impression

By the way, in recent eruptions Agunga in 1963-1964, the temple remained undamaged and the lava passed a few meters from the buildings. The Balinese considered it a miracle! And when visiting any temples, men and women need to wear a sarong; you can buy it everywhere. Or tie the pareo around your waist.

Since this is an evacuation zone, there were only a few people there - and those locals were trying to make money by renting an umbrella, selling coffee, water, and even extorted an entrance fee, although they were not ticket takers 😉 But we are callous, we don’t respect extortionists... Feel the atmosphere of the place in the video

By the way, now the entrance to Besakih is really free, so do not give in to the provocations of the locals, and this is the only temple open to believers of any caste, of any social affiliation

The second temple overlooking the volcano is Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang. It is part of the huge Pura Lempuyang temple, if you wish you can walk from lower temple to the top of the jungle and more than 1,700 steps (the trail is described) is one of the canonical 6 most important temples in Bali. I advise you to go here early in the morning, we were there at 7, since we lived nearby Lipah beach. And then the volcano is enveloped in clouds...

The split gate of Chandi Bentar symbolizes the balance of forces in the universe, nature, life 🙏🌍 One half is good, the other is evil, they are the founders of the energy of the Universe 🗺 We did not walk around the multi-level temple, there was no time. And this shot was not easy for us - persistent guys were waiting at the parking lot, extorting a “donation” without offering a ticket in return, trying to physically not let us in, ruining the whole impression of the spiritual place and the Balinese people😐 They threatened us with the police, chased us, pulled my hands, but Andrei’s broad back quickly put the impudent man in his place 😂 Despite the momentary scandal, we quickly found this gate and this scoundrel did not touch the car either. I believe that the donation should be brought to the temple itself, and not to the extortionists on the corner 🙏 At 7 am there were already several tourists here, the girl even drew the temple gates, everyone took pictures of her notebook against the backdrop of the real Chandi Bentaryu. Volcano Agung opens up in all its splendor from here, and it’s not at all scary to look at it or be close, even when it spits a little 🌋

By the way, if a house in Bali is built according to local Feng Shui, then the bed in the bedroom will definitely have its head facing towards Agung. True, in our hotels it was not like this everywhere... Only now, when writing a post in a fishing village in the north of the island ✌ Thus, at night, among all the people sleeping correctly, the effect of group meditation is created 😇 That is, even those who do not even suspect it meditate 🤯 So At night, the general field of the island, your aura, is cleansed, and the vibration also increases - again the islands and your personal one.

To me, Agung with a light smoke on top seems a fascinating sight. It was the first time I lived with a view of a volcano, which frightened the whole world. One interesting fact— Balinese believe that Agung volcano is feminine😉 ⠀

Insurance in Bali - which is better?

If this is your first time flying to the island, the question will undoubtedly arise - Is insurance required in Bali? Of course, no one will check her at the airport; her health is your personal responsibility. But with a sharp change in climate, you may feel unwell, become allergic to some foods, do not forget that the water and food here are completely different, and this means stomach upsets. I was in Bali twice with friends, and everyone suffered from this problem... Indonesia is a country with natural disasters, volcanoes periodically erupt here, and we found ourselves at this historical moment. If you want to travel around Bali on a bike, remember that the roads are terrible traffic, driving on the left and non-compliance with traffic rules. But the biggest danger is Dengue fever, you can play it safe by constantly protecting yourself from mosquito bites, but during the rainy season they can bite where you don’t expect it - in a restaurant or in a spa.

I would recommend buying insurance for Bali from a company. Their assistance in Russia is the company Mondial, the most reliable in the insurance industry, the main office is in Paris, it was recently renamed Allianz Global Assistance. This is the only assistance with an “AA” rating by Standard & Poor’s, and it is the one that will save you on the island in insurance cases, as well as pay for your treatment. You can check the price of insurance in Bali in this form by entering the flight dates and the country of Indonesia.

During our 1-month vacation in Bali, our friend went to the Ubud hospital twice - either she fell off her bike, or her dog bit her 😫 Medicine in Bali is at a good level, they give all medications, write instructions for use, and accept them for free (at the expense of the insurance).

Video of Mount Agung erupting in Bali

Its height is 3142 m, and when it erupted at the end of November, the height of the ash and smoke was 4 km above it. I'll show you a couple of amateur videos from Russian guys who caught the spectacle

Someone even decided to go to the crater of the volcano, watch the video, it’s from December 13. Many who live on the island, and not on the other side of the TV screen, believe that the eruption of Agung is a beautiful, mysterious and terrifying event at the same time. I honestly really enjoy being in Bali at this historical moment and I don't feel anxious or in danger. Only sea, sun, fruits, travel! I wish the same for you!

Airplane ticket Moscow — Bali, price

The peak season in Bali is summer and New Year's holidays, then the price of air tickets is the highest. The best time to relax here is in spring and autumn; there is little rain, and there are fewer tourists than usual. As you can see from the prices for air tickets to Bali, prices are also lower at this time

In contact with

Fabulous Bali attracts many tourists not only with its tropical nature and unique culture; there are two famous active volcanoes Batur (Gung Batur) and Agung, as well as a dozen dormant and extinct ones. A journey to these picturesque peaks will turn into a real adventure, filled with emotions, vivid impressions and even a dose of extreme sports. Do you feel the spirit of a pioneer in yourself and are not afraid of the hardships of the ascent? Then forward to the heights!

How "mother mountain" is translated from the local Agung dialect . This volcano is the most high point islands. The following figures will help to assess its scale:

height – 3142 m (according to other sources 3014 m);
crater size in diameter 375x520 m;
The depth of the crater is about 200 m.

The Balinese have a beautiful legend about the origin of the volcano. It is believed that Bali used to be a flat island where people lived happy people and animals. Seeing such prosperity, the Gods themselves decided to settle in this paradise and built Agung, from where they could observe the life of the island and the good deeds of its inhabitants. The most hardworking Balinese were taken to the top by the sacred bird Garuda.

Today, on the bare peak of Agung you will not meet the Gods and Garuda, but it is worth climbing there to see the most beautiful sunrise in the world.

Climbing Agung

Climbing the volcano should only be accompanied by an experienced guide, and you should choose routes in accordance with your physical fitness. The most popular route will start from the western slope from the Pura Besakih temple at 23:00 and will take 5-7 hours, ending with watching the sunrise at the very top.

The second most popular route starts from the village of Selat. Walking trip will last only 3-4 hours and be limited to a height of 2860 m, but you will see the crater of the volcano.

Today the volcano behaves like a good boy, but the inhabitants of the island well remember the devastating eruption of 1963, when a number of villages were swept away by lava and about one and a half thousand people died. In the fall of 2017, Agung made itself felt again; everyone who was in close proximity to the rebel mountain had to be evacuated and air travel had to be stopped. Fortunately, no one was hurt. In 2018, Agung volcano is closed for climbing.

Volcano Batur

This volcano is located in the eastern part of Bali on a caldera with an area of 368 square meters. km. A caldera is a pit that was formed as a result of the collapse of a volcano. It is believed that more than 300 thousand years ago, after a powerful eruption, the walls ancient volcano became thinner, and it collapsed, forming a depression where Batur is located.

The lake at the foot of the volcano is also a caldera. It is considered the largest crater reservoir in the world and locals say that it is protected by the water goddess Devi Danu. In addition to “divine protection” there is ordinary protection. Swimming is strictly prohibited here; you have to admire it from a distance.

Right at the foot you can see several villages, nicknamed “lake stars”. People who risked living in such close proximity to active volcano, is driven, by no means, by fearlessness, but by calculation. Each eruption makes the soil even more fertile, the lake is full of fish, and there is also an artisanal production of souvenirs made from volcanic tuff. Well, how to leave such a “bread” place?!

Information about Batur:

the height of the volcano is 1717 m;
cone height – 686 m;
number of craters – 3.

Since the 19th century, 22 eruptions of varying strength have occurred on Batur. Once the Balinese even sewed a huge sarong and wrapped it around a volcano to appease the gods. Whether a sarong helped or rich offerings, but since the 60s the volcano really hasn’t presented any unpleasant surprises (small ash emissions and seismic activity don’t count).

Climbing Batur

Traveling to the volcano is like a walk. The climb does not require physical training and will take only 2 hours. The guides plan the trip in such a way that tourists get to the top at dawn. From here you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of Bali in the bright rays of dawn.

Organized at the top Observation deck with cafes and shops where you can eat and relax. By the way, not only you are rising, but also prices - “at the top” the cost of water, tea and other things is much more expensive than at the bottom.

A fun thing that you will certainly be shown is steaming food from the crater fissures. The temperature is enough to boil an egg or fry bananas.

Any climb to the top, whether difficult to Agung or easier to Batur, requires preparation. Therefore, we offer you several useful tips:

It is recommended to conquer the peaks of volcanoes during the “dry” period, which is June-November;
stock up on a headlamp and warm clothes (at night the winds on the slopes are quite cold);
I recommend wearing comfortable anti-slip shoes;
There should be 2-3 liters of water per person in the backpack;
It is worth starting such an event well rested and well-slept.

Are volcanoes dangerous in Bali?

Despite the fact that the Batur and Agung volcanoes are considered active, they do not pose a serious danger to tourists.

Of course, the history of the island eloquently testifies to unexpected manifestations of activity, but today experts carefully monitor the volcanoes, recording all changes: rising temperatures, seismic tremors, unusual behavior of flora and fauna. On the alert and rescue services who are ready to help and evacuate people at the slightest danger.

So a little courage, adventurism, excitement and unforgettable volcanic peaks will conquer you, or maybe you will be conquered by them? Steinbeck also noted: “It is not people who create travel, but travel that creates people.” And in Bali you will definitely feel it.

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