Marapi Erupts 2 Times In Two Days, 3 Km Radius Is Prohibited From Activities

PADANG - Mount Marapi, located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra), spewed volcanic ash as high as 1,100 meters above the top of the mountain on Tuesday, May 27 morning.

"There has been an eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra at 08.22 WIB with a height of ash column being observed about 1,100 meters above the peak", said Mount Marapi Fire Observer (PGA) officer, Teguh, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 27.

In the PGA report, the ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity leaning towards the southeast. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum millimeter amplitude and lasted about 59 seconds.

Teguh said on Monday (26/5) at 14.57 WIB the volcano as high as 2,891 meters above sea level (masl) also erupted, but the volcanic ash column was not monitored because it was covered by clouds. The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 30.4 millimeters with a duration of about 28 seconds.

Currently, Mount Marapi has Alert status or Level II. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) issued a number of recommendations, including prohibiting people, tourists, or visitors from doing activities within a three-kilometer radius from the activity center (Verbeek Luxury).

PVMBG also reminded the threat of cold lava potential, especially for people living along rivers that originate from the top of the volcano.

This condition is especially during rain or rainy season. Then in the event of ash rain, people are advised to use a nose and mouth covering mask to avoid respiratory tract problems.