Mount Ibu Again Vomits Volcanic Ash

JAKARTA - Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, erupted again and spewed volcanic ash as high as 2.5 kilometers into the air.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) stated that the eruption occurred this afternoon at 11.31 WIT.

"If there is ash rain, people who are active outside the home are advised to use a nose, mouth (mask), and eyes (glasses)," said Mount Ibu Observation Post Officer, Gradita Trihadi, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 14.

Gradita said the color of the volcanic ash clouds formed due to the eruption was gray to black with moderate to thick intensity leaning towards the northwest.

The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 9 millimeters and a duration of approximately 2 minutes 7 seconds.

Since May 16, 2024 until today, Mount Ibu still has a level IV alert status because volcanic and seismic activity is still relatively high.

The danger distance is within a four-kilometer radius and the sectoral expansion is seven kilometers to the crater opening in the north of the active crater of Mount Ibu.

PVMBG recommends the public not to carry out activities within this hazard radius.

"People should always follow directions from local governments," said Gradita.

Mount Ibu is a strato-type volcano and has a peak height of 1,340 meters above sea level which is administratively included in the area of Ibu District, West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province.