Although The Potential For Eruption Of Mount Awu In North Sulawesi Is Small, PVMBG Still Warns Residents To Stay 3.5 Km Away From The Summit

The condition of Mount Awu in the Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi is monitored by the PVMBG of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. ANTARA/HO-PVMBG

SULUT - Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) said the potential for an eruption of Mount Awu in Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, is small.

"The potential for a small eruption exists because yesterday the pressure was evaluated not too strong to produce a high column eruption because it was covered by a lava dome," said PVMBG Volcano Coordinator Oktory Prambada by telephone, Thursday 30 June.

The energy that comes from below, according to him, is trying to suppress it but is not strong enough even though the earthquake is like a crisis. "We are still setting alert level III," he added.

Based on the Antaram report, many volcanic earthquakes in Mount Awu are associated with the movement of energy from the magma chamber.

He explained about the energy required for the process to go up and depending on the conditions in the pipe of the eruption hole whether it was strong enough to reduce pressure from below or not.

"Mount Awu is different from Karangetang, which doesn't close. Awu looks like it's gagged, while Karangetang isn't too clogged," he said.

Therefore, he hopes, the people around Mount Awu comply with the recommendations issued by the PVMBG.

The PVMBG of the ESDM Ministry hopes that the public or tourists will not approach the danger radius of 3.5 kilometers from the crater of the summit of Mount Awu.

The community around the mountain is expected to remain calm, not to be provoked by rumors about the activities of Mount Awu that cannot be justified.

The community is also expected to follow directions from the Regional Disaster Management Agency for the Sangihe Islands Regency.

In addition, the community and local government and other relevant agencies can monitor the development of the activity level and recommendations of Mount Awu at any time through the MAGMA Indonesia application.