Volcanic Activity Increases, 76 Eruptions Occurred at Mount Dukono

JAKARTA - The Dukono Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, recorded 76 eruptions in Mount Dukono during the April 6 period.

"The crater's smoke is leaning to the northwest, with a column of ash from 800 meters to 1,400 meters above the peak of the mountain," said PGA Dukono Officer Bambang Sugiono as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 7.

He explained that the smoke from the Dukono Mountain crater was observed to be white and gray with medium to thick intensity.

"For the number of tremors of the eruption 76, amplitude 6-34 mm, duration 19.33-90.65 seconds. While continuous tremor (microtremor) was recorded with an amplitude of 1-6 mm (dominant 4 mm)," he said.

Meanwhile, the weather is still sunny, cloudy, overcast, and rainy. The wind blows weakly to moderate towards the west and northwest. The air temperature is 27-31 degrees Celsius and the air humidity is 61-90 percent with a rainfall volume of 2 mm per day.

He said that at this time the status of the volcano with a height of 1,087 meters above sea level (msl) was at Level II or Alert.

The community around Mount Dukono and visitors/tourists are advised not to carry out activities, climb, and approach the Malupang Warirang Crater within a radius of four kilometers.

"Considering that eruptions with volcanic ash occur periodically and the ash distribution follows the direction and speed of the wind, so that the ash landing area is not fixed," said Bambang Sugiono.

Therefore, he said, people around Mount Dukono are asked to provide masks to avoid the threat of volcanic ash on the respiratory system.