Viral "Erupting Volcano" Video in Indonesia Is Fake, Made by AI
Listen to the story
A video showing an eruption of the volcano Anak Krakatoa in Indonesia has been shared widely online. However, the video is not real footage. It was created using artificial intelligence, a technology that can generate realistic images and videos without a real camera.
Fact-checkers examined the video and confirmed it was fabricated. Although Anak Krakatoa is a real and active volcano, the specific eruption shown in the video did not actually happen. The case shows how AI-generated content can spread quickly and mislead people during real events.
At the same time, other news related to Indonesia has emerged. A group of tourists from Navarra, a region in Spain, has become stranded in the country. They described feeling as if their trip has lasted an extremely long time, saying it feels like "8,000 days" of travel.
Separately, Indonesian authorities are searching for eight people who have gone missing. The group had been traveling by boat toward Anak Krakatoa when contact was lost. Rescue teams are now working to locate them.
These three stories are connected only by their location, Indonesia, and highlight both the risks of misinformation online and real difficulties travelers and boat passengers can face there.
Vocabulary10 words
- artificial intelligence
- computer technology that can create images or text
- fabricated
- made up; not true
- fact-checkers
- people who check if information is true
- active volcano
- a volcano that can still erupt
- misleading
- making people believe something wrong
- stranded
- unable to leave a place
- authorities
- official people in charge
- missing
- not found; lost
- rescue teams
- people who help save others
- misinformation
- false information shared widely
Quiz
Answer key
1. Artificial intelligence 2. They are stranded in Indonesia 3. Traveling by boat toward the volcano
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A video showing an eruption of the volcano Anak Krakatoa has been shared widely _____.
It was created using _____, a technology that can generate realistic images and videos.
Fact-checkers examined the video and confirmed it was _____.
Anak Krakatoa is a real and _____ volcano.
A group of tourists from Navarra has become _____ in the country.
They said their trip feels like "8,000 _____" of travel.
Indonesian authorities are searching for eight people who have gone _____.
The group had been traveling by _____ toward Anak Krakatoa.
Rescue teams are now working to _____ them.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think AI-generated videos of disasters spread so quickly online?
- How can people check if a video showing a natural disaster is real?
- What difficulties might tourists face if they become stranded in a foreign country?
- Why is search and rescue important when people go missing at sea?