This Afternoon Mount Marapi Erupts, Vomits Abu As High As 1,500 Meters

Mount Marapi in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar, West Sumatra erupted on Thursday (9/10/2025). Antara/HO-Orari Padang Panjang

SUMBAR - The Volcano Post (PGA) reported that Mount Marapi, which is located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra), erupted and ejected 1,500 meters of volcanic ash on Thursday afternoon at 12.18 WIB.

"There has been an eruption of Mount Marapi at 12.18 WIB with a column height of ash being observed about 1,500 meters above the top of the mountain," said PGA Officer Ahmad Rifandi in Padang, Thursday, October 9.

From the local PGA report, the ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity leaning towards the northeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 24.9 millimeters and a duration of about 1 minute 34 seconds.

In its report, PGA noted that the 2.891 meter volcano above sea level (masl) also erupted on Thursday morning at 02.21 WIB with a column height of ash reaching 1.2 kilometers.

The ash column is observed to be gray with thick intensity leaning towards the northeast. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 29.4 millimeters with a duration of about 42 seconds.

Currently, Mount Marapi is still on Alert status or Level II. 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 from the activity center (Verbeek Luxury).

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.

Not only that, if there is ash rain, the public is advised to use a mask covering the nose and mouth to avoid respiratory tract problems (ARI).

PGA together with PVMBG also continues to remind that there are piles of materials due to the volcanic eruption which causes water flow and at any time the potential for cold lava floods to occur.

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.