Mount Marapi Activities Increase, Geological Agency Reveals Potential Eruption Again

Archives . Mount Marapi which is located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency erupted on January 14, 2024. BETWEEN/Muhammad Zulfikar

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported that the activities of Mount Marapi in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra (West Sumatra) fluctuatedly increased in the period 1-15 February 2025.

"Based on the evaluation of data on monitoring of Mount Marapi's activities, it has increased fluctuately," said Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid in a written statement received on Wednesday, February 29, which was confiscated by Antara.

Wafid said the potential for eruptions/eruption still exists, and can occur at any time as a form of release from the accumulation of pressure (energy). With the eruption and frequent gusts, it is hoped that the accumulation of pressure due to fluid supply from depth can be released.

During the routine evaluation, the Geological Agency noted that there was an eruption activity, but visually it was not observed. The activity of gusts is also more frequent with a lower smoke height than the previous two weeks, which was a maximum of 200 meters above the peak.

"The activity of the eruption has decreased, on the other hand, the activity of gusts has increased," said Wafid.

Then, seismic data tends to increase in the last two weeks. The Geological Agency also noted that gusts increased from 93 to 194 times. Meanwhile, the eruption earthquake decreased from 11 to three times.

Not only that, but earthquakes related to magma supply also increased where shallow volcanic earthquakes rose 42 times, and volcanic earthquakes recorded 37 times. In addition, local tectonic earthquakes have also increased in the last two weeks from 27 to 40 times.

Dalam laporan evaluasi itu nilai dv/v (variasi kecepatan seismik) Gunung Marapi diketahui masih rendah termasuk koherensi. Hal ini diinterpretasikan tekanan pada tubuh gunapi masih tinggi dan kondisi medium tidak stabil.

"Based on the results of thorough analysis and evaluation until February 16, 2025, the activity level of Mount Marapi remains at Level II or alert," said Wafid.