Fears of another landslide and possible tsunami are mounting for the Anak Krakatoa volcano in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia. Scientists with Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) have discovered new cracks that could be an early indication of another landslide. These cracks are deep and wide enough to emit steam and ash. A violent explosion of the Krakatoa volcano triggered a deadly tsunami that struck Indonesia on December 22 that struck Java and Sumatra. A landslide formed by these cracks is estimated to be 67 million cubic meters compared to the estimated 90 million cubic meters from the December 22 event.
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Indonesia is planning to build what will be the World’s longest suspension bridge to link up its two main islands of Java and Sumatra. The total length will over 30-km with a (max?) height of 70-m so ships can pass underneath. The catch is that the bridge will be located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the boundary between the Asian and Australian tectonic plates and one of the most seismically and volcanically active areas in the world. There have been several recent earthquakes greater than magnitude 7, not to mention the earthquake that caused the 2004 tsunami. The bridge will be built to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake. Oh, and in case the seismic concerns weren’t great enough, the bridge will pass within 50-km of the volcano Krakatoa. The estimated cost of the bridge is $12 billion ($AU?). Credit to Geology.com for the story.