Spray Volcanic Ash Up To A Kilometer, PGA Reports The Condition Of Mount Marapi

JAKARTA - The Gunung Marapi Volcano Post (PGA) reported that the volcano in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra) erupted again and spewed volcanic ash as high as 1,000 meters (1 km) above the top of the mountain.

"There was an eruption at 16.24 WIB. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 30.5 millimeters and lasted about 41 seconds," said PGA Gunung Marapi officer Teguh Purnomo in Padang, Saturday.

From the local PGA report, the column of gray ash with thick intensity leaned towards the south.

Currently, Mount Marapi is still on 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 of 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, he said, in the event of ash rain, people are advised to use a nose and mouth covering mask to avoid respiratory tract problems.

Not only that, if there is ash rain, the public is advised to use a mask covering the nose and mouth to avoid respiratory tract problems (ARI).

PGA together with PVMBG also continues to remind that there are piles of materials due to the volcanic eruption which causes water flow and at any time the potential for cold lava floods to occur.

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.