Geological Agency Records 314 Shallow Volcanic Earthquakes On Mount Lokon, North Sulawesi

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recorded 314 shallow earthquakes in Mount Lokon, in Tomohon City, North Sulawesi, for the period of November 1-9, 2024.

"In that period, four gusts were recorded, seven earthquakes were deep volcanic, and 23 distant tectonic earthquakes," said Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid AN in a report on the increase in activity of Mount Lokon received in Manado, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, November 12.

In the report shared in the conversation group "BMKG and Stakeholders", the earthquake in that period was more than the period of June 2023.

In the period of June 2023, nine gusts were recorded, 222 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 23 deep volcanic earthquakes, three local tectonic earthquakes, and 69 tectonic earthquakes.

The visual condition of Mount Lokon on November 1-9, 2024, generally the weather is sunny to rainy, the rainfall is measured at 31 millimeters for nine days, the wind is weak to strong to the east, south and west. The measurable temperature ranges from 18-29 degrees Celsius.

The volcano is sometimes covered in fog, when it is sunny, white main crater smoke is observed with a thin to thick intensity, about 10-20 meters high above the peak, other volcanic conditions have not been seen.

The potential threat of danger of Mount Lokon's activity for now is an eruption. The eruption can be accompanied by the ejection of incandescent material measuring lapil until it lumps and heavy ash rain with or without the flow of hot clouds from the eruption suddenly arrives.

"People around the Pasahapen River channel should be aware of the occurrence of hot clouds," he said.

Based on the results of the evaluation of visual and instrumental volcanic activity that shows an increase in volcanic activity, the Geological Agency has raised the level of activity of Mount Lokon from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Alert) starting on November 10, 2024 at 22:00 WITA.

Previously, on August 21, 2023 at 00:30 p.m. local time, the activity level of Mount Lokon was lowered from Level III (Alert) to Level II (Alert) until November 9, 2024.