Mount Ibu Eruption with a 800 Meter High Ash Column

JAKARTA - Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, has erupted again, launching a column of volcanic ash about 800 meters above the peak, as reported by the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, said the eruption of the volcano, which is 2,125 meters above sea level, occurred at 09.24 WIT.

The observed ash column was gray with a thick intensity leaning to the northwest. This eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 millimeters and a temporary duration of approximately 4 minutes 1 second.

Currently, the level of activity of Mount Ibu is at Level II Status (Alert).

Along with the determination of the status, Lana said the Geological Agency issued a recommendation that people around the mountain as well as visitors and tourists should not carry out activities within a two-kilometer radius of the active crater.

In addition, the prohibition on activities also applies to the sectoral expansion 3.5 kilometers towards the crater opening in the north of the active crater of Mount Ibu.

Lana appealed to the public to use nose, mouth (mask), and eye protection (glasses) when they are outside the house during volcanic ash rain to anticipate health problems.