High Hazard Potential, Geological Agency Bans Residents From Radius 2.5 Kilometers Of Mount Karangetang Crater

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources prohibits residents from entering a hazard radius of 2.5 kilometers from the main crater of Mount Karangetang, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi/ANTARA

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources prohibits residents from entering a hazard radius of 2.5 kilometers from the main crater of Mount Karangetang, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi. "The activity of the eruption of Mount Karangetang visually, instrumentally and with potential hazards is still high, so the level of activity is still at level III or Alert," said Head of the Geological Agency Sugeng Mujiyanto in the weekly evaluation of Mount Karangetang which was distributed by PGA Karangetang Post in Manado, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, June 21. In addition, the community, visitors, tourists, and climbers, are not allowed to move and approach areas within a radius and 3.5 kilometers in the southwest, south and southeast sectors. Another recommendation is that the community around Mount Karangetang is advised to prepare a mask covering the nose and mouth to anticipate the dangers of respiratory tract problems in the event of ash rain. Intensive monitoring is still being carried out to evaluate the activities of Mount Karangetang by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). "People living around the riverbanks that originate from the peak of Mount Karangetang to increase preparedness from the potential threat of rain lava and flash floods," he said. The Geological Agency also hopes that the community will remain calm, not be provoked by fake news about the eruption of Karangetang, and always follow directions from BPBD North Sulawesi and BPBD Sitaro Regency. Local governments are expected to always coordinate with the PGA Karangetang Post or PVMBG Bandung. Masyarakat maupun BNPB, BPBD Sulawesi Utara, BPBD Kabupaten Sitaro, dan instansi terkait lainnya dapat memantau perkembangan tingkat aktivitas maupun rekomendasi Gunung Karangetang setiap saat melalui aplikasi Magma Indonesia. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources raised the status of Mount Karangetang to Alert on February 8, 2023, after an increase in volcanic activity.

Two months later, on April 26, 2023, his status dropped to alert level II, not a month later on May 19, 2023, again raising his status to level III alert.