Indonesia Raises Mt. Anak Krakatau Alert After Surge In Volcanic Activity

JAKARTA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has raised the alert status of Mount Anak Krakatau from Level II to Level III after data showed a surge in volcanic activity and magma movement toward the surface, Lana Saria, acting head of the country's Geological Agency, said Friday.

"The increased activity indicates a supply of magma moving toward the surface, and therefore residents and tourists are advised to stay away from the active crater," Lana said.

The agency has established a 5 km exclusion zone around the active crater and urged the public to follow local authorities' instructions and remain vigilant.

Lana added that authorities are continuing to monitor the volcano around the clock using seismic networks, deformation measurements, and visual observations to detect changes in volcanic activity at an early stage.

Indonesia, which lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," uses a four-level volcanic alert system, from the first level of Normal, Alert, and Standby, to the highest of Warning, to indicate increasing levels of volcanic activity and eruption risk. 

--NNN-Xinhua