Mount Ibu Halmahera Barat Eruption Launches Abu 2 Km High

MALUKU - The Mother's Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, again reported that on Tuesday morning at around 08.49 WIT, Mount Ibu erupted, launching ash as high as two kilometers above the top of the mountain.

"Yes, the ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity leaning towards the west," said PGA Ibu Post officer in West Halmahera Regency Richard Chaniago in a written statement monitored from Ternate, Antara, Tuesday, November 26.

The eruption of Mount Ibu was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a duration of approximately 1 minute 48 seconds from the PGA Ibu Post in Gam Ici Village, Ibu District.

"Currently, the condition of the volcano as high as 1,325 meters above sea level (masl) is still at Level III or Alert," he said.

Therefore, people living around Mount Ibu and visitors or tourists are asked not to move within a four km radius and the sectoral expansion is five km to the crater opening in the north of the active crater of Mount Ibu.

"If ash rains, people who are active outside the home are advised to wear masks and glasses, to avoid exposure to the mountain ash," he said.

In addition, he continued, all parties to maintain the conduciveness of the atmosphere in the community, not to spread false narratives (hoaxes), and not to be provoked by issues with unclear sources, as well as the public to always follow directions from local governments.

He added to the West Halmahera Regency Government (Pemkab) to always coordinate with the Center for Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Geological Agency in Bandung or with the PGA Ibu Post in Gam Ici Village to get direct information about volcanic activity.