Mount Marapi Erupts, Abu Capai Colon 1,200 Meters

PADANG - Pos Gunung Api (PGA) Marapi reported that the mountain in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, erupted again on Sunday, September 7 evening.

"There was an eruption at 20.16 WIB. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with an amplitude of a maximum of 30.4 millimeters and lasted about 54 seconds," said PGA Gunung Marapi officer Ahmad Rifandi, in Padang, Antara, Sunday, September 7.

From the observations, the column of gray ash with thick intensity, leaning towards the northeast. The height of the ash column was observed to reach about 1,200 meters above the top of the mountain.

Currently, Mount Marapi is still on Alert or Level II status. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) appealed to the public not to carry out activities within a three-kilometer radius of the eruption center in Verbeek Crater.

PVMBG also warned of the threat of cold lava, especially for residents living along the river that originates at the top of Marapi. This risk increases when heavy rains fall.

"If there is ash rain, people are advised to use nasal and mouth covering masks to avoid respiratory problems," wrote the PVMBG statement.

In addition, piles of eruptive materials have the potential to cause cold lava floods at any time, especially in the rainy season. This condition cannot be ignored, considering that the cold lava flood incident on May 11, 2024, claimed dozens of lives.