The Status Of Mount Iniellika Ngada NTT Rises To Alert

Map recommendations for disaster-prone areas in Gunung Inielika located in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. (ANTARA/HO-PVMBG)

JAKARTA - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) stated that the status of Mount Inielika activity in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, rose to level II or alert.

Head of PVMBG Hendra Gunawan said Mount Inielika had previously held level I or normal status since 2001.

"The level of activity of Mount Inielika has been raised from normal to alert since Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 10.00 WIT," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, October 4.

Throughout 2023, the volcanic activity of Mount Inielika was dominated by low-frequency earthquakes and deep volcanic earthquakes fluctuating at low levels. Volcanic earthquake events were recorded only 0 to 1 time per day.

From September 29 to October 4, 2023 at 08.00 WIT, the Geological Agency noted an increase in deep volcanic earthquakes. The average occurrence of volcanic earthquakes increased to nine times per day.

On October 1, 2023, the Geological Agency recorded 17 deep volcanic earthquakes with a maximum amplitude of 50 millimeters and a maximum duration of 30 seconds.

On October 3, 2023, another volcanic earthquake increased to 18 incidents. This shows an increase in pressure under the body of Mount Inielika which can trigger shallow earthquakes or phreatic eruptions.

Hendra said there was a significant decrease in the temperature and concentration of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide in four hot springs.

This phenomenon is estimated to be due to the formation of a hydrothermal cover caused by fluid circulation activity in the hydrothermal silting system that releases mineral deposits, causing a decrease in the level of permeability and increasing pressure within Mount Inielika.

"The potential danger of an increase in internal volcanic earthquakes is the occurrence of phreatic eruptions and the release of gas that is dangerous for health in high concentrations," said Hendra.

Mount Inielika, which has a height of 1,559 meters above sea level, is monitored visually and instrumentally from the Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) located on Jalan Tanawau-Tarawali, Turamuri Village, North Bajawa District, Ngada Regency, NTT.