Dukono Volcano Ash Reaches 7,000 Feet as Darwin VAAC Issues Aviation Advisory
Why It MattersPersistent ash from a long-active volcano keeps routing and dispatch risk alive for aircraft operating around North Maluku, even without any airport closure being declared.
Indonesia's Dukono volcano, on Halmahera Island in North Maluku, continued to release volcanic ash on Monday, October 19. The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) identified ash in Himawari-9 satellite imagery at 04:40 UTC, reaching flight level 070, or approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, and drifting northeast at about five knots.
An earlier advisory issued late on October 18 reported ash at the same altitude, moving northeast at about ten knots, which points to sustained emissions rather than a single isolated event. Dukono is one of Indonesia's most persistently active volcanoes.
As of the October 19 advisories, no new airport closures or flight cancellation totals directly attributed to Dukono had been confirmed. The Darwin VAAC continues to monitor the volcano and will issue updates as necessary.
