This Week, Three Volcanoes In Indonesia Are Included In Disaster Emergency Alert Mapping

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reports that several volcanoes in Indonesia are still showing significant eruption activity, and are the main focus in disaster emergency alerts in the second to third week of January 2025.

First, Gunungapi Ibu, which is located in Ibu District, West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, erupted again on Saturday (11/1) at 19.35 WIT. The eruption resulted in a column of ash about 4,000 meters above the peak (5,325 mdpl) which was gray, with thick intensity leaning towards the west.

This eruption was also accompanied by incandescent lava that was seen with the naked eye as far as 2 kilometers from the crater center, with a rumbling sound heard. The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a duration of 3 minutes 5 seconds.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari, revealed that although there were no casualties, the local government had provided understanding to local residents to take the necessary steps to anticipate the impact of the eruption.

PVMBG (Villencing Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation) also expands the evacuation recommendation radius to 4 kilometers, with sectoral to the north of the active crater as far as 5.5 kilometers.

Furthermore, the Lewotobi Male Volcano in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, is still showing eruption activity to this day. Based on reports during the period 1-7 January 2025, there were 6 eruptions and 135 gusts.

The average height of the eruption column ranges from 600 to 1,200 meters, slightly higher than the previous period. People and tourists are asked not to carry out activities within a radius of 5 kilometers from the central eruption and sectoral southwest-southeast as far as 6 kilometers.

Finally, Merapi Volcano, which is located in three districts in Central Java and DI Yogyakarta, is also still in Alert status (Level III).

Volcanic activity in Merapi remains high, with significant rainfall around the peak, ranging from 8 to 100 millimeters per hour.

Potential hazards to watch out for include hot clouds of avalanches, rain lava floods, and eruptions of volcanic material that can reach a radius of 3 kilometers from the summit.

"People around Merapi are asked to remain vigilant against this potential danger, especially when it rains," added Abdul.

BNPB reminded that these three volcanoes must be a serious concern for the community and the authorities to minimize the risks that can arise due to continued volcanic activity.