Unusual sea-level pattern recorded near Anak Krakatau as journalists disappear
Researchers observed an atypical sea-level rise around Mount Anak Krakatau on September 7, coinciding with the disappearance of five journalists and three crew members in the Sunda Strait.
On September 7, a sensor network managed by the National Research and Innovation Agency recorded a sea-level anomaly around Mount Anak Krakatau, showing a flattened peak and numerous ripples instead of the usual sinusoidal shape. The device, known as the Pumma station, is situated near Rakata and Sebesi islands in the Lampung region, where it was installed after the 2018 eruption and tsunami. Researchers, led by Semeidi Husrin, ruled out a tsunami and suggested the phenomenon might stem from volcanic gas pockets or debris, though the lack of CCTV footage and fog-obscured satellite images hinder definitive analysis.
The same day, five journalists and three crew members went missing in the Sunda Strait, prompting ongoing search-and-rescue operations. A viral video claiming sea-level recession on September 6 was debunked as unrelated to any eruption activity. Authorities continue to seek expert collaboration to understand the widespread anomaly.
Why it matters
The event links a rare geological anomaly with the disappearance of media personnel, highlighting safety and monitoring gaps in a volcanically active region.
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