Mount Karangetang Releases Lava Falls With A Luncur Distance Reaching 1,750 Meters

Mount Karangetan in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi. (photo: dock. intermediate)

The Karangetang Volcano Observation Post (PGA) of Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi mentioned the sliding distance of lava avalanches from Mount Karangetan to Kali Batang as far as 1,000 to 1,750 meters. "In addition to Batang River, lava avalanches also lead to Batuawang River as far as 1,000 to 1,500 meters, Timbelang River and West Beha River as far as 1,000 meters," said PGA Karangetang Post Head Yudia P. Tatipang in Manado, Wednesday, June 28. He expects residents who live around the river whose water flow originates at the peak of Mount Karangetang to remain alert and anticipate the impact of the lava avalanche. In addition to the potential for avalanche hot clouds that are still accreting at the top of the crater of the mountain, he said another danger in the form of volcanic material slides that at any time occur, especially during moderate to heavy intensity rain. Visually, he said, during the observation period 00.00 - 06.00 Wita smoke from the crater was observed to be white with moderate and high intensity 75-100 meters at the crater peak. Also 60 avalanches were recorded with an amplitude of between five to 15 millimeters with a duration of 30-518 seconds, as well as a continuous tremor (microtremor) with an amplitude of 0.5-3 millimeters, dominant of two millimeters. "The current peak of the activity of Mount Karangetang is on alert level III," he said.

Dia berharap, beberapa rekomendasi diperhatikan, yaitu masyarakat dan pengunjung, wisatawan tidak mendekati, tidak melakukan pendakian dan tidak beraktivitas di dalam zona prakiraan bahaya yaitu radius 2,5 kilometer dari puncak kawah dua (kawah utara) dan kawah utama (selatan) serta area perluasan sektoral ke arah barat daya dan tenggara sejauh 3,5 kilometer.Masyarakat juga harus mewaspadai guguran lava dan awan panas guguran yang dapat terjadi sewaktu-waktu dari penumpukan material lava sebelumnya karena kondisinya belum stabil dan mudah runtuh, terutama ke sektor selatan, tenggara, barat, dan barat daya.Selain itu, masyarakat yang tinggal di sekitar bantaran sungai-sungai yang airnya berhulu di puncak Gunung Karangetang meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan dari potensi ancaman lahar hujan dan banjir bandang yang dapat mengalir hingga pantai.