Status Level II, Mount Marapi West Sumatra Eruption During 46 Seconds

JAKARTA - Mount Marapi in West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra), erupted with a duration of about 46 seconds on Friday, July 25 afternoon.

"The eruption at 17.30 WIB was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 26.5 millimeters and lasted about 46 seconds," said Gunung Marapi Volcano Post (PGA) officer Ahmad Rifandi in Padang, Friday, confiscated by Antara.

In its report, PGA cannot record the height of the volcanic ash column because it is covered in clouds.

Currently, the volcano as high as 2,891 meters above sea level (masl) is Level II or Alert. This means that people are prohibited from doing activities within a three-kilometer radius of the activity center (Verbeek Luxury).

In addition, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) also warns of a potential threat of cold lava, especially for people living along rivers that originate from the top of the volcano.

This condition, he said, especially during the rain or rainy season. Then in the event of ash rain, he continued, people are advised to wear nasal and mouth covering masks to avoid respiratory tract problems.

Separately, another PGA officer, Teguh reminded that the pile of materials caused by the volcanic eruption in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency caused the emergence of water flows which at any time had the potential for cold lava flooding.

This condition cannot be ignored because it is very vulnerable and dangerous, especially when it rains with high intensity. The most likely thing is cold lava floods such as the May 11, 2024 incident which claimed dozens of lives.

"This is quite dangerous, especially for areas around the river that originate directly from the top of Mount Marapi," said Teguh.