Mount Ibu Sprays Volcanic Ash 700 Meters High

TERNATE - The Mother's Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, Thursday, erupted by removing volcanic ash as high as 700 meters from the top of the mountain.

"Yes, the eruption by removing the height of the ash column was observed as high as 700 meters," said PGA Ibu officer, Axl Roeroe, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 23.

The ash column is observed to be gray with thick intensity leaning towards the west, while this eruption is recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a duration of approximately 58 seconds.

He explained that currently the status of volcanic activity of the volcano as high as 1,325 meters above sea level is Level IV or Alert.

Communities around Mount Ibu and visitors should not move within a 5 kilometer radius and the sectoral expansion is 6 kilometers 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, it aims to avoid exposure to volcanic ash," he said.