Mount Merapi Erupts in West Sumatra, Volcanic Ash As High as 400 Meters

Mount Marapi West Sumatra has again experienced an eruption, with a height of volcanic ash reaching 400 meters from the summit. (ANTARA/HO)

PADANG - Mount Marapi which is in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, has experienced another eruption with an eruption as high as 400 meters which were observed from the top of the mountain.

"This is the first eruption or eruption today, observed as high as 400 meters from the summit, occurring at 12.48 WIB", said the Head of Mount Marapi PVMBG Observation Post, Teguh Purwanto in Bukittinggi, Monday.

He said the direction of the eruption ash column spread to the east, south and southeast.

The eruption was clearly visible from the direction of Bukittinggi City, Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency.

According to him, Mount Merapi's activity has decreased in the past week since it first erupted in 2023.

"The first eruption in 2023 occurred on Saturday, January 7, but since Monday, January 23, activity has decreased, even on Sunday, February 5 for the first time there was no eruption", he said.

He said the total number of Marapi eruptions so far has recorded 321 eruptions.

"The highest was last Thursday, January 12 with a height of volcanic ash reaching one kilometer from the top of the peak", he said.

Officers continue to provide recommendations at the Level II or alert activity level so that people around Mount Merapi, and visitors or tourists do not carry out activities or approach a three-kilometer radius from the summit.

"Also, it is hoped that the people around Mount Merapi will remain calm and not provoked by issues regarding the eruption, hoping to always coordinate with PVMBG and follow directions from the local government", he said.