More than 130,000 Bali residents have evacuated the area surrounding Mount Agung after experts raised the volcano alert to level 4, meaning an eruption is imminent.
The volcano has started pumping thick white smoke from its crater and hundreds of tremors have been recorded since Monday.
Balinese officials have urged people across the island to wear protective face masks to shield their lungs from dangerous volcanic ash.
Kasbani, the head of Indonesia’s volcanology centre, warned that the ash can travel anywhere depending on the ferocity of the eruption and wind direction.
A statement from Kasbani, translated by volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner, said: “Volcanic ash can spread much more broadly than the immediate pyroclastic flow hazard.
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“Ash and volcanic ash is different from the ordinary dust – volcanic ash is shaped glass and crystals, that when viewed under a microscope, is very sharp.
“That is why, when volcanic ash enters the human body, it can cause irritation in the body.”
Volcanic ash rarely endangers human life but can lead to a number of health problems.
The United States Geology Survey advise that the ash can irritate the eyes, get into the upper airways and exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma.
Current projections have the ash blowing northwest, though this could easily change by the time the volcano erupts.
Kasbani added: “In the event of an eruption in these weeks, the wind and volcanic ash may lead to the northwest.
“And if the eruption is big, it can get to the other side of the island.
“Although wind direction is currently to the northwest, this does not rule out volcanic ash being directed to the east and south.
“The direction of the ash plume to the northwest may be thicker and faster, while the other direction could be thinner.”
Amid mounting fears that flights could be grounded in the wake of an eruption, the Bali government is readying a number of alternatives.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya said: “Ten airports will serve as alternatives for flights bound for Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport in case it is closed because of volcanic ash.”
Virgin Australia flights between Australia and Bali will be making an extra fuel stop in Darwin in case asked to turn back.
Mean while, Singapore Airlines customers travelling up until October 2 have been told they can reschedule or ask for a refund.
No flights will be cancelled until Agung erupts.