Mount Ibu in Malut Eruption, Spitting 400 Meters of Ash

JAKARTA - Mount Ibu in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku (Malut) again erupted, spewing volcanic ash up to 400 meters high on Friday, January 9.

"The eruption was at around 07.09 WIT with the height of the ash column observed as high as 400 meters above the peak," said Ibu Volcano Observation Post (PGA) officer, Darsono H Muhammad Nur in a written statement received in Ternate, Friday, quoted by Antara.

He explained that the eruption of Mount Ibu was seen spewing a column of ash observed to be white to gray with medium to thick intensity leaning towards the southwest.

"This eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a temporary duration of about 40 seconds," he said.

He said that currently the volcano, which is 1,325 meters above sea level, is still at Level II or Alert status.

Therefore, the community around Mount Ibu and visitors/tourists, so that they do not have activities within a radius of 2 kilometers and a sectoral expansion of 3.5 kilometers towards the crater opening in the north of the active crater of the mountain.

"If there is ash rain, people who are outside the house are advised to use a mask and glasses, so as to avoid exposure to ash," he said.

He asked all parties to maintain the atmosphere in the community, not to spread false narratives (hoax), and not to be provoked by issues that are not clear about their sources.

"The public should always follow the directions of the Regional Government," he hoped.

The West Halmahera Regency Government should always coordinate with the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation in Bandung or with the Ibu Mountain Observation Post in Gam Ici Village, Ibu District to get direct information about Ibu Mountain activity.