PVMBG Suggests People Wear Masks To Prevent Volcanic Ash Marapi

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) advises the community around Mount Marapi, located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra (West Sumatra), to use masks to avoid Acute Respiratory Channel Infection (ISPA) due to exposure to volcanic ash.

"This recommendation is to avoid ISPA and other health problems caused by the volcanic ash of Mount Marapi," said Mount Marapi Observation Officer Teguh in Padang as reported by ANTARA, Friday, December 22.

In the event of volcanic ash rain, he continued, the public was advised to immediately secure clean water facilities and clean the roofs of houses from the volcanic ash that had accumulated so as not to collapse.

People living around the valley, rivers or banks that head up at the top of Mount Marapi, are also advised to always be aware of the potential threat of lava hazards that can occur, especially during the rainy season.

"People, visitors, tourists, climbers, are not allowed to enter and carry out activities within a three-kilometer area from the Verbeek Crater activity center," said Teguh.

Until 00.00 WIB to 12.00 WIB, his party recorded three activities of deep volcanic earthquakes and two distant tectonic earthquakes of Mount Marapi.

"Regarding visuals, weak pressure crater smoke was observed to be gray white with thick intensity and 300 meters high above the crater peak," he said.

Finally, PVMBG appealed to the public, especially those living around Mount Marapi, not to spread false narratives (hoaxes) so that the atmosphere remains conducive, and residents are asked to follow the directions issued by the local government (Pemda).