Mount Ibu Sprays Volcanic Ash As High As 800 Meters

TERNATE - The Mother's Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku on Friday afternoon erupted again by ejecting volcanic ash as high as 800 meters above the top of the mountain.

"At around 17.18 WIT with the height of the ash column being observed up to 800 meters above the peak," said PGA officer Saum in a written statement reported by ANTARA, Friday, December 12.

He explained that the eruption of Mount Ibu was seen in a white to gray column with moderate to thick intensity leaning towards the Southwest.

"This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a duration of > 1 minute 1 second," he said.

Currently, the condition of the volcano as high as 1,325 meters above sea level is at Level II or Alert.

Therefore, people around Mount Ibu and visitors/tourists should not move within a 2 kilometer radius and the sectoral expansion is 3.5 kilometers to the crater opening in the northern part of the active crater of the mountain.

"If ash rains, people who are active outside the home are advised to wear masks and glasses to avoid exposure to the ash of Mount Ibu," he said.

He asked all parties to maintain the conduciveness of the atmosphere in society, not to spread false narratives (hoaxes), and not to be provoked by issues with unclear sources.

"People should always follow directions from the regional government," said Saum.

The government of West Halmahera Regency has always coordinated with the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation in Bandung or with the Mount Ibu Observation Post in Gam Ici Village, Ibu District to get direct information about the activities of Mount Ibu.