Geological Agency Expands the Radius of the Danger of Mount Sinabung to 3 Kilometers

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has expanded the radius of the Sinabung Mountain hazard recommendation zone in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, to three kilometers from the mountain peak following an increase in volcanic activity.

Acting Head of the Geological Agency Lana Sari said that although there was an increase in visual activity and earthquakes, the current activity level of Mount Sinabung was still maintained at Level II (Warning).

The level of activity of Mount Sinabung remains at Level II (Warning) with a change in the recommended zone from a radius of two km from the peak and a sectoral radius of 3.5 km for the south-east sector to a radius of 3 km from the peak and a sectoral radius of 4.5 km for the south-east sector.

Starting Thursday, August 13, at 10.00 WIB, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Geological Agency recommends that the public, tourists, and climbers do not carry out any activities within the new danger zone area.

Lana revealed that monitoring the earthquake until August 12, 2026 recorded an increase in volcanic earthquakes and volcanic earthquakes, as well as the recording of Low Frequency (LF) earthquakes and hybrid earthquakes that were previously rarely detected.

Visually, the Mount Sinabung crater's smoke plume was also observed to thicken with a grayish white color soaring up to 1,000 meters above the peak.

In addition to the threat of primary hazards in the form of phreatic eruptions, magmatic eruptions, lava dome collapse, incandescent rock ejection, and ash rain, the public is also asked to be aware of the potential for secondary hazards in the form of lava flows during rain.

The Geological Agency appeals to the local government (Pemda) together with BPBD North Sumatra and Karo Regency to continue to actively coordinate with the Sinabung Mountain Observation Post in Ndokum Siroga Village in order to anticipate further volcanic activity.