In 12 Hours, Mount Ibu Erupted 9 Times in a Row

JAKARTA - Mount Ibu in West Halmahera, North Maluku, has experienced nine consecutive eruptions in the past 12 hours. The height of the volcanic ash column varied between 400 and 700 meters from the summit.

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recorded the ninth eruption on Saturday (August 7) evening at 12:57 a.m. Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT), with the column height observed at approximately 400 meters above the summit, or 1,725 meters above sea level.

"The volcanic activity was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 28 millimeters and an earthquake duration of 48 seconds," said Axl Roeroe, an officer at the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post (PGA), as quoted by Antara.

He stated that the ash column from the eruption was observed to be gray in color and thick, moving toward the southwest.

Mount Ibu erupted, spewing a 700-meter-high volcanic ash plume lasting 74 seconds on Friday (August 8th) morning at 8:26 a.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Time).

Meanwhile, the majority of the six subsequent eruptions could not be observed due to fog and poor visibility from the observation post.

Due to these conditions, Mount Ibu remains at Level III, or Alert, status.

The Geological Agency recommends that the public, visitors, and tourists avoid activities within a two-kilometer radius of the active crater, as well as within a 3.5-kilometer sectoral area towards the crater opening in the north.

If ashfall occurs, the public is advised to wear masks or nose and mouth protection, as well as goggles when engaging in outdoor activities.

The Geological Agency also asks all parties to maintain a conducive situation, refrain from spreading irresponsible information, and continue to follow the directions of the local government.

The West Halmahera Regency Government is asked to continue coordinating with the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) in Bandung, West Java, or the Mount Ibu Observation Post in Gam Ici to obtain the latest information regarding volcanic activity.