Nature
Volcano Disrupts Indonesian Air Travel
Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano, in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, erupted violently beginning Sept. 4, with its most intense phase lasting about 25 hours through Sept. 6 and ash plumes reaching as high as 50,000 feet. Eight airports were closed, including both of Jakarta's, and roughly 2,900 flights were canceled, stranding or delaying more than 340,000 travelers. Eight people, including five journalists aboard a boat near the volcano, were reported missing.
SPECTACULAR ROCKIES & GLACIERS OF ALBERTA
8-day, 7-night “challenging” tour in western CANADA. Departures May-Sept. 2022 & 2023. Highlights: In Banff, learn about medicinal plants on forest walk/Lake Louise/Moraine Lake in Valley of Ten Peaks/Icefields Parkway/walk on Athabasca Glacier/Jasper National Park. From $3,675 ppdo; with extension, from $5,950 ppdo. Single supp., from $1,400.
Indonesia volcano
Mt. Semeru, on the island of Java, Indonesia, erupted on Dec. 5, blanketing nearby villages in ash and causing lahars, deadly flows of mud and ash. At least 22 people were killed and more than 50 were injured, with dozens of people still missing at press time. Many villages were completely buried with ash up to the roofs of homes.
Semeru is in a nearly constant state of activity, regularly producing magma and sending ash clouds into the air. However, this eruption was particularly violent and unexpected.
Canyoning in Scotland
At Dollar Canyon, 45 minutes from Edinburgh in southern Scotland, visitors can take a 3-hour canyoning course with The Canyoning Company (Perthshire, Scotland, UK; phone +44 7725 813 729, thecanyoningcompany.co.uk).
COSTA RICA – VOLCANOES & VALLEYS
12 days, 11 nights of “gentle-to-moderate”-paced family cycling. Departures Aug. & Oct. 2022, 2023. Avg. 16 miles biked daily (6½ days). Highlights: San José to Irazú Volcano/Tapanti Nat’l Park for waterfalls, swimming/rafting on Pacuare River/near La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano/visit rural school, farm/lesson on homemade coffee, tortillas/free day on Nicoya Peninsula for optional surfing, kayaking, horseback riding.
La Palma volcano
The Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma, Canary Islands, began erupting on Sept. 19 and continued to at press time. Flowing lava destroyed hundreds of residences and other buildings, including a school. Seven villages downhill from erupting vents were evacuated, about 7,000 people in total.
Spanish airline Iberia as well as local Canaries airlines Binter and Canaryfly canceled all commercial flights to La Palma until further notice.
GREEN VOLCANOES
15-day, 14-night geological photo tour in the Azores (PORTUGAL), May 1-15, 2022. Group limit, 5-7. Highlights: On São Miguel, Pico Barrosa, Caldeira Velha hot springs, Chá (Tea) Gorreana Plantation, Sete Cidades volcano massif/on Faial, Capelinhos volcano/fly to Flores for lakes, maar-type explosion craters/fly to Terceira for “moderate”-level hike to Monte do Brasil, ancient lava tube of Algar do Carvão. €2,890 (near $3,428) ppdo.