Mount Ibu Status Level Rises So Be Alert: Residents Asked To Be Alert

Erupsi Gunung Ibu Di Halmahera, Maluku (ANTARA)

HALMAHERA Mount Ibu in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, has again shown an increase in volcanic activity. As of 22.30 WIT, this mountain spewed a column of ash as high as 4,000 meters from the summit, so that its status was raised from Level III (Alert) to Level IV (Alert).

Data from the observation post Gunung Ibu noted that the column of gray ash with thick intensity was leaning towards the southwest of Halmahera. Volcanic ash has reached six villages in Tabaru District, causing residential areas and highways to be covered with volcanic ash.

"As of 12.00 WIT, there were 24 eruptions, 106 gusts, seven harmonic tremors, 258 shallow volcanic earthquakes, five deep volcanic earthquakes, and 11 distant tectonic earthquakes," said Head of the Volcano Monitoring and Disaster Mitigation Center of the Sulawesi Land Movement, Maluku, North Maluku, Juliana DJ Rumambi, Thursday, January 16.

Juliana explained that the decision to increase the status of Mount Ibu was based on the evaluation of significant increase in volcanic activity in the past week. This activity included a large eruption at 07.11 WIT with a column of ash as high as 4,000 meters accompanied by a hot cloud slide.

"Based on the evaluation, we raised the status of Mount Ibu from Level III to Level IV at 10.00 WIT, given the incandescent lava activity and continued hot cloud launch," he explained.

This increase in status has made people and tourists prohibited from carrying out activities, including climbing or approaching Mount Ibu within a five-kilometer and sectoral radius of six kilometers from the crater opening in the northern part.

In addition, residents are asked to increase their vigilance, especially in the event of ash rain. Residents who are active outside the home are advised to use masks to protect the nose and mouth, as well as eye protection to avoid exposure to volcanic ash.

Authorities continue to monitor Mount Ibu's activities and urge the public to comply with directions to avoid greater risk of danger.