1 Km High Abu Colon Collapses From Mount Marapi Monday Morning

Erupsi Gunung Marapi (ANTARA)

The Gunung Marapi Volcano Post (PGA) located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra) reported that the mountain spewed volcanic ash as high as 1,000 meters on Monday at 09.06 WIB.

"There has been an eruption of Mount Marapi at 09.06 WIB with a column height of ash being observed about 1,000 meters above the peak," said PGA officer Ahmad Rifandi, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, September 8.

From the PGA report, the column of ash was white to gray with thick intensity leaning towards the east. The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 30.4 and a duration of about 51 seconds. Currently, Mount Marapi is still on Alert or Level II status.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) issued a number of recommendations, including prohibiting people, tourists, or visitors from doing activities within a three-kilometer radius of the activity center (verbeek area).

PVMBG also reminded the threat of cold lava potential, especially for people living along rivers that originate from the top of the volcano.

This condition is especially during rain or rainy season. Then, in the event of ash rain, people are advised to use a nose and mouth covering mask to avoid respiratory tract problems.

PGA together with PVMBG also continues to remind that there is a pile of materials due to the volcanic eruption which causes water flow and at any time there is the potential for cold lava flooding.

This condition cannot be ignored, because it is very vulnerable and dangerous, especially when it rains with high intensity. The most likely thing is cold lava floods such as the May 11, 2024 incident which claimed dozens of lives.