PVMBG Asks People To Be Alert To The Potential Eruption Of Mount Sorik Marapi

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) asked the public to be aware of the potential for phreatic eruptions related to the hydrothermal activity of Mount Sorik Marapi in Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra. "If a phreatic eruption occurs, it can be accompanied by ash rain, mud bursts, and material ejection around the crater," said an official statement from PVMBG quoted from Antara, Saturday, October 1. Since January 2022, the volcanic activity of Mount Sorik Marapi has fluctuated with the current level of activity being relatively normal at level I. On September 29, 2022, PVMBG recorded an increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes in the 146 times, but there has not been a visual increase in the activity of Mount Sorik Marapi. This phenomenon occurs due to increased pressure that can come from hydrothermal activity and magma activity within the body of Mount Sorik Marapi, but still has not shown an increase in the surface. At the level of activity level I, PVMBG recommends the community around Mount Sorik Marapi and tourists not to approach the crater at close range. If you see an increase in intensity or thickness of crater smoke or if you smell strong gas, residents and tourists must immediately stay away from and leave the area around the crater to avoid potential dangers of exposure to toxic gases or phreatic eruptions. Mount Sorik Marapi is administratively located in Mandailing Natal Regency. The volcano is monitored visually and instrumentally from the Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in Sibanggor Tonga Village, Puncak Sorik Marapi District, Mandailing Natal Regency. Sorik Marapi is an active volcano with a height of 2,145 meters above sea level with a volcanic lake at its peak. The mountain was recorded to have erupted seven times, namely 1830, 1879, 1892, 1893, 1917, 1970, 1986, and the last 1987. In the last eruption, Sorik Marapi spewed hot lava and dust flowing into Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra.