Anak Krakatau Anomaly Detected on Day Journalists Vanished
Sensors recorded a sea level anomaly on the same day contact was lost with a speedboat carrying journalists toward Mount Anak Krakatau.
On September 7, 2026, researchers at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) detected an anomaly in sea level rise around Mount Anak Krakatau, coinciding with the disappearance of five journalists and three crew members in the Sunda Strait. The irregular sea level data was captured by a tsunami monitoring sensor called the Pumma device, developed by Semeidi Husrin and his team.
Typically, tidal patterns form a standard sinusoidal curve, but on September 7, the shape of the sea level wave was markedly different, with the peak tide appearing flat and having many significant wave ripples on top. This anomaly drew attention from experts in Italy, who conducted a joint discussion. However, it was clear that this was not a tsunami, as the difference was very clear.
Initial theories suggested that the phenomenon was caused by pockets of trapped gas or floating debris released after volcanic activity around Mount Anak Krakatau. However, similar wave patterns were also recorded by the Pumma station on Sebesi Island. The sea level anomaly was not localized to the eruption center but appeared widespread, but Semeidi and his team were unable to draw a definitive conclusion due to a lack of supporting data.
They were unable to review the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera due to it being out of service, and there were limitations with localized weather sensors and satellite imagery obscured by fog. Semeidi noted that collaboration from external specialists, including volcanologists, was required to explore possibilities such as cracks on Anak Krakatau allowing seawater to enter and change its surface.
Furthermore, a viral video showing receding sea levels on September 6, linked to an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, was confirmed to be false, as data from the Pumma device showed normal sea level patterns. The Geological Agency declared that multiple continuous eruptions occurred from September 4 to 5, but by the early morning of September 6, the continuous eruption phase had ended.
SAR teams continued efforts to locate the missing journalists and crew members as of September 16, 2026.
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