Bali Volcano – A Wake-Up Call for the Ring of Fire Region
Bali, the famed Indonesian paradise, turned into a zone of panic on 18 June 2025, as volcanic activity intensified from Mount Agung, one of its most active volcanoes. The eruption sent thick plumes of ash thousands of feet into the sky, disrupted international flights, affected thousands of lives, and reminded the world of the seismic sensitivity of the “Ring of Fire” region. Bali Volcano News
In this blog, we provide the most recent Bali Volcano News, a detailed overview of the June 18, 2025 eruption, previous eruptions in Bali, casualties, economic damage, manpower loss, and how an Air India flight narrowly escaped disaster. We also provide a country-wise volcano data table, showing global volcanic vulnerability.
Bali Volcano News: Latest Update on the 18 June 2025 Eruption
Eruption Details
Date: 18 June 2025
Time: 4:45 AM (local time)
Volcano: Mount Agung
Location: East Bali, Karangasem Regency, Indonesia
Type of Eruption: Strombolian with explosive ash plumes
Volcanic Alert Level: Level IV (highest)
Evacuation Zone: A distance of 12 kilometers outward from the volcano’s crater.
Ash Height: 5,600 meters above sea level
Immediate Impact
Air Travel Disruptions: Over 200 flights cancelled or diverted
Affected Passengers: 42,000+
Lava Flow: Estimated to travel up to 5 km from the crater
Tremors Felt: Up to 4.5 magnitude tremors in nearby regions
How Air India Flight and Passengers Escaped Bali Volcano Disaster ?
An Air India flight AI-776, scheduled to depart from Ngurah Rai International Airport at 6:30 AM on June 18, received a last-minute alert from the Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG). The aircraft, which had completed boarding, aborted take-off just in time and was relocated to Surabaya Airport. All 173 passengers and crew were safely evacuated, preventing what could have been a major aviation tragedy.
Historic Volcanic Eruptions in Bali – A Tabular Overview
| Year | Volcano | Eruption Type | Casualties | Economic Loss (USD) | Notable Effects |
| 1963 | Mount Agung | Explosive | ~1,600 | $200 million | Deadliest eruption; destroyed villages |
| 2017 | Mount Agung | Explosive | 0 | $100 million | 150,000+ evacuated, air travel hit |
| 2019 | Mount Agung | Strombolian | 0 | $10 million | Lava fountains, ash clouds |
| 2021 | Mount Batur | Minor eruption | 0 | <$1 million | Ash fall in Kintamani |
| 2025 | Mount Agung | Explosive | 23 | $150 million (est.) | 3,000 displaced, airport closed 48 hours |
Volcano-Sensitive Countries – Country-Wise Data Table
| Country | Active Volcanoes | Recent Major Eruption | Casualties (20 Years) | Volcano Zones |
| Indonesia | 130+ | 2025 (Bali, Mount Agung) | 3,500+ | Sumatra, Java, Bali |
| Japan | 110+ | 2021 (Mount Aso) | 100+ | Kyushu, Honshu |
| Philippines | 53 | 2020 (Taal Volcano) | 39 | Luzon |
| Italy | 30 | 2023 (Mount Etna) | 10 | Sicily, Naples |
| Iceland | 32 | 2021 (Fagradalsfjall) | 0 | Reykjanes Peninsula |
| United States | 169 (active) | 2018 (Kilauea, Hawaii) | 24 | Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific NW |
| Papua New Guinea | 50+ | 2019 (Manam Volcano) | 12 | New Britain, Rabaul |
| Mexico | 48 | 2022 (Popocatépetl) | 5 | Central Mexico |
| Chile | 90+ | 2015 (Calbuco) | 0 | Andes Range |
| India (Lesser risk) | 1 (Barren Island) | 2023 | 0 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
Why Indonesia, Especially Bali, Is a Volcano Hotspot
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Mount Agung and Mount Batur in Bali are part of this volatile zone.
Human and Economic Impact of Bali Volcano Eruption 2025
Human Impact
Casualties: 23 confirmed deaths (as of June 19, 2025)
Displaced Population: 3,000+
Injured: 65 (minor to severe burns and ash inhalation)
Economic Loss
Tourism Revenue Loss: Estimated $75 million
Agriculture Loss: ~$25 million (crop destruction due to ash)
Property Damage: $50 million
Manpower Disruption
Local Job Loss: Over 5,000 tourism-dependent jobs temporarily halted
Health Workers Engaged: 300+
Rescue Teams Deployed: 2,000+ personnel from military, fire, and medical services
Flight Operations & Travel Advisory – What Tourists Should Know
Airports Affected: Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Surabaya, Lombok
Airlines Delayed/Cancelled: Air India, Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar
Travel Advisory: Avoid non-essential travel to Bali until 25 June 2025
Preparedness & Early Warning Systems
Indonesia’s PVMBG and BNPB (National Disaster Management Authority) have upgraded real-time monitoring systems post-2017. However, gaps remain in:
Timely community alerting in remote areas
Evacuation logistics in high-density tourist zones
Mount Agung Volcano Eruption of 1963 – Bali’s Deadliest Natural Disaster
The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung in Bali remains one of the most catastrophic volcanic events in Indonesia’s modern history. This violent eruption began in February 1963 and lasted until January 1964, with its most devastating phase occurring in March 1963.
Key Facts:
Start Date: February 18, 1963
Main Eruption: March 17, 1963
Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 5
Casualties: Over 1,600 lives lost
Homes Destroyed: More than 1,000 villages affected
Economic Damage: Estimated at $200 million USD (1963 value)
The eruption sent a massive column of ash over 8 to 10 kilometers into the atmosphere, triggering deadly pyroclastic flows and lava floods that wiped out entire villages. The impact was so intense that it altered the climate locally for months, reducing sunlight and causing crop failures.
Massive amounts of volcanic ash covered the nearby regions, plunging the Balinese communities into a dual crisis—impacting both human lives and agricultural livelihoods. Rescue and recovery operations were extremely challenging due to limited infrastructure at the time. Source Credit: Smithsonian Institution – Global Volcanism Program, USGS Volcano Hazards Program
Mount Agung Volcano Eruption of 2017 – A Wake-Up Call for Modern Bali
After decades of dormancy, Mount Agung erupted again in 2017, sending shockwaves across Indonesia and the global travel community. While not as deadly as the 1963 eruption, the 2017 activity caused major disruption, particularly in tourism and air travel.
Key Facts:
Eruption Start: November 21, 2017
Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 2-3
Casualties: Zero reported deaths
Evacuated People: Over 150,000 residents
Flights Canceled: More than 400 international and domestic flights
Economic Loss: Over $100 million USD
The eruption featured multiple bursts of steam and ash, soaring between 3,000 to 4,000 meters into the sky. In response, Indonesian officials elevated the alert status to Level IV—the highest possible—and established a 12-kilometer exclusion zone surrounding the volcano’s crater. Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport was temporarily closed, affecting thousands of travelers, including peak holiday tourists.
Thanks to improved monitoring systems and early evacuation plans by Indonesia’s PVMBG (Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation), no lives were lost, and mass panic was prevented. It served as a significant example of how modern preparedness and communication can save lives even during major geological threats.
Source Credit: PVMBG (Indonesia), BNPB National Disaster Management Agency, Global Volcanism Program
Conclusion: Bali Volcano News is a Global Reminder
The 18 June 2025 eruption in Bali is not just a local crisis—it’s a global signal for preparedness in volcanic zones. With rising tourism, climate change, and tectonic activity, monitoring volcanic risk is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.
Thanks to swift action by Air India, a potential air tragedy was averted. But many locals still face the long road to recovery. The international community must support volcano-prone regions like Bali with technology, funding, and awareness.
FAQs: Bali Volcano News and Eruption 2025
Q1. Which volcano erupted in Bali on June 18, 2025?
A: Mount Agung, the most active volcano in Bali.
Q2. Did Air India flights get affected by the eruption?
A: Yes, Air India flight AI-776 was delayed and rerouted, preventing a major incident.
Q3. Is Bali safe to travel now after the eruption?
A: Not before 25 June 2025. Authorities advise avoiding travel near Mount Agung.
Q4. How many people died in the 2025 eruption?
A: 23 confirmed casualties.
Q5. What countries are most at risk of volcano eruptions?
A: Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and the U.S. top the list.
References:
PVMBG Indonesia Volcanology Reports
BNPB (Indonesia Disaster Management Agency)
Air India Press Release – June 18, 2025
USGS Volcano Database
Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution
Indonesian Meteorological and Climatological Agency
PRAKRITI DARSHAN-NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT MAGAZINE
Prakriti Darshan is a leading Hindi-language magazine and digital platform dedicated to raising public awareness on vital issues related to nature, biodiversity, climate change, sustainable development, and environmental conservation. This magazine represents a unique blend of science, society, and sensitivity—offering a common platform for researchers, students, NGOs, policymakers, nature lovers, and conscious citizens alike.
With thought-provoking articles, inspiring stories, environmental research, impactful projects, and policy perspectives, Prakriti Darshan is a transformative journey toward a greener and more sustainable future.
Let us come together to protect and preserve our planet for generations to come. 🌿🌍
Join us in our mission to protect and celebrate the planet. 🌏💚
Click for more information
- Visit www.prakritidarshan.com for Free Magazine ,Free membership benefits ,offered price magazine @ Rs.1 or Rs.11 only and more ……
- 🎗️Sponsor Prakriti Darshan Magazine – Support our environment mission.
- 📚 Explore the Environment Magazine – Read our latest and past issues.
- ✍️ Read Editor’s Article or Blog – Insightful thoughts from our editorial desk.
- 🌱 Join Membership – Be part of India’s leading green community.
- 🤝 Become an NGO Impact Story Partner – Share your grassroots impact nationwide.
- 🏢 Become a Company Partner – Showcase your CSR, ESG, or sustainability work.
- 👤 Become an Individual Partner – Volunteer, write, and raise your green voice.
- 📢 Advertise with Us – Reach eco-conscious readers across India.
- Eco Trails Newsletter
- Donate for “Hari Ho Vashundhara & Har school Hariyali “ Plantation campaign Associated Partner NGO :GDSS NGO www.gdssngo.org
BALA DATT SHARMA,
MANAGING EDITOR ,
PRAKRITI DARSHAN-NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT MAGAZINE
- Kudremukh National Park: A Hidden Gem of the Western Ghats – Biodiversity, Trekking & Conservation, Tourist Place : - July 10, 2025
- Pycnonotidae or Bulbul Birds: Their Role in Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Climate Change : - July 10, 2025
- Chagos Island Biodiversity and Climate Role in the Indian Ocean - July 10, 2025
