Lava Falls Still Down, Residents Asked To Obey The Hazard Radius Of Mount Karangetang, North Sulawesi

Mount Karangetang in North Sulawesi (Sulut). (Between)

NORTH SULAWESI - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Sitaro Islands Regency asked the community to comply with the danger radius of Mount Karangetang even though the eruption occurred in early February 2023.

"Residents who were evacuated have been sent home, but they are still temporary. This means that if the activity of Mount Karangetang increases, residents can be evacuated to safer places," said Head of Emergency and Logistics Division of BPBD Sitaro, Sonny Belseran in Manado, North Sulawesi (Sulut), Wednesday, August 30, confiscated by Antara.

He said, although the activity of Mount Karangetang has decreased relatively, lava avalanches often occur and occasionally lead to Kahetang River and Keting River.

In Kahetang River, there are vulnerable settlements, namely residents of Tampungan Village, Taroane Village, while in Keting River, residents of Wetana Village, Tatahadeng Village.

"We continue to urge residents to be careful when returning to their hometowns and carry out activities," he said.

Based on the PGA Karangetang Post report for the period from 00.00 WITA to 06.00 WITA today, visually the mountain's body looks clear to foggy, while the smoke from the crater is weak to moderately observed to be white with a thin intensity with a height of 25 meters above the crater peak.

One and two crater flames of approximately 10 meters, incandescent lava avalanches from the top of crater one occasionally occur towards Batuawang River and Kahetang River about 1,000-1,500 meters.

Three avalanches were recorded with an amplitude of between 15-30 millimeters, a duration of 76-125 seconds, one earthquake with a gust of five millimeters for seven seconds.

Pos PGA juga merekam satu kali gempa hybrid/phase banyak dengan amplitudo 10 milimeter, S-P : 0 detik, selama sembilan detik, serta satu kali gempa tektonik jauh amplitudo 30 milimeter, S-P : 12 detik, durasi 52 detik.

"Tremor continuous (microtremor) was recorded with an amplitude of between 0.5 millimeters to one millimeter, dominantly 0.5 millimeters. While the current level of activity is on alert level three," he said.