Again, Mount Dukono Ejected Volcanic Ash

JAKARTA - The Volcano Observation Post (PGA) reported that Mount Dukono in North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, on Friday afternoon erupted again with ash ejection as high as 4,000 meters above the peak.

PGA Dukono officer Bambang Sugiono in a written statement in Ternate, Friday, said that the volcanic activity of Mount Dukono Kambali had increased, the eruption occurred at around 17.28 WIT and was still ongoing when the report was submitted.

"The eruption was around 17.28 WIT with a height of the ash column observed at approximately 4,000 meters above the peak," he said.

The column of ash produced by the eruption was observed to be gray in color with a thick intensity. The direction of ash spread is inclined to the northwest, following the direction and wind speed around the mountain area.

In addition to visual observations, the eruption activity was also recorded through a seismogram with an amplitude of 34 millimeters and the eruption duration reached 95.41 seconds. These data indicate that the volcanic activity of Mount Dukono is still quite significant and has the potential to occur repeatedly.

Currently, the status of Mount Dukono is still at Level II or Alert. At this level, volcanic activity is still fluctuating and can be accompanied by periodic ash eruptions.

The PGA Dukono appealed to the public who were around the mountain, including visitors and tourists, not to carry out any activities within a four-kilometer radius of the Malupang Warirang Crater, which is the center of eruptive activity.

"The public, climbers, and tourists are not allowed to carry out activities, climb, and approach the Malupang Warirang Crater within a radius of four kilometers," said Bambang.

Considering that volcanic ash eruptions occur periodically and ash distribution follows the direction and speed of the wind, the ash landing area becomes unstable.

"The public around Mount Dukono is urged to always provide masks/nose and mouth covers to use when needed, to avoid the threat of volcanic ash on the respiratory system," he added.

Previously at 11:06 WIT, the mountain erupted with a column of ash observed as high as 1,500 meters above the peak.