The Geological Agency Of KESDM Monitors Mount Near Mount Ruang Intensively

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) monitors mountain activity adjacent to Mount Ruang, namely Mount Awu in Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi and Mount Karangetang in Siau, North Sulawesi, intensively.

"We, for now, are currently intensively monitoring Mount Awu, which is also close to Mount Ruang," said the Head of the Mount Heruningtyas Working Team at the Press Conference to Increase the Status of Mount Ruang from Alert to Alert, monitored from Jakarta, Thursday.

Heruningtyas said that his party had monitored the activities of Mount Awu before the eruption in the form of ejection of volcanic ash as high as 3,000 meters out of the crater of Mount Ruang on Wednesday, April 17.

The Geological Agency, he said, had detected an increase in seismic activity on Mount Awu before the eruption of Mount Ruang.

In fact, on Tuesday 16 April, the Geological Agency raised the status of Mount Awu from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Alert), along with Mount Ruangan.

"We didn't expect Mount Ruang to erupt first. This Mount Ruangan has an escalation of the earthquake quite quickly," said Heruningtyas.

However, when asked about the connection between the two mountains, Heruningtyas said a special study was needed first.

"To answer the question of whether the mountains are interconnected, this may have to be a special study first," said Heruningtyas.

Apart from Mount Awu, there is also Mount Karangetang in Siau, North Sulawesi which is also adjacent to Mount Ruang.

"For Mount Karangetang, currently, the status is Level II or Alert," he said.

The Geological Agency noted that a surface earthquake occurred on Mount Karangetang. However, Heruningtyas said that the earthquake was indicated to be caused by recordings of explosive eruption activity that occurred on Mount Ruang.

"Currently, the earthquake has returned to normal for Mount Karangetang and Mount Awu," said Heruningtyas.

On Wednesday 17 April, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported eruption activity in the form of ejection of volcanic ash as high as 3,000 meters out of the crater of Mount Ruang in Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi.

The eruption occurred tonight at 20.15 WITA. The explosive eruption gave rise to a natural phenomenon of flashing volcanic lightning.

PVMBG data states that during the last 24 hours there has been five eruptions with an altitude of 1,800 meters to 3,000 meters from the top of Mount Ruang.