Gas burst at Danau Batur kills 25 tons of fish, Batur stays normal
Geology officials attributed the fish kill to upwelling and H2S, not an eruption, while urging people to stay away from the crater.
At least 25 tons of farmed tilapia died in Danau Batur, Bangli, Bali, after a sulfur-smelling gas burst appeared since Monday (20/7) early morning. The Geology Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said the event was triggered by limnological dynamics and a natural hydrothermal system inside the caldera of Gunung Batur, not a sign of eruption. During overturn or upwelling, deep lake water low in oxygen and containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) rises to the surface, producing a sulfur odor and reducing dissolved oxygen until the fish die en masse. The Geology Agency said there was no increase in volcanic tremor and Gunung Batur remains at Level I, or normal, but the public and tourists were still asked not to carry out activities in the crater area.