The Status Of Mount Marapi Is Still Alert, The River Changes Color Into Dark Chocolate

The appearance of one of the rivers that originates in Mount Marapi, West Sumatra, has changed the color of the water to dark blackish. (Between/Altas Maulana).

The rivers that originate from Mount Marapi in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) which are still Level III or Alert have changed color to dark brown from before clear. One of them is Batang Aia Katiaak River in Jorong Cangkiang, Agam Regency. "This change in color of water did occur during Mount Marapi's eruption. Currently, it can be seen that the water discharge is quite high and the water color is dark brown, even though the weather is not rainy," said local community leader, Hatta Rizal, Lubuk Basung, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, Thursday, January 4, was confiscated by Antara. He said, Batang Aia Katiaak River is directly originated from Mount Marapi, or 9 kilometers (km) from the center of the eruption. If it rains at the peak, then volcanic remnant material will descend through this river.

"The eruption that continues to occur makes volcanic material in the form of black sand carried away by river currents, the good news is that this black sand is a building material of the number one quality," he said.

Meanwhile, the Marapi Volcano Observation Post (PGA) asked residents to be aware of the existence of rivers that originate from mountains as high as 2,891 meters above sea level. because it is prone to cold lava floods. "People who live around valleys or rivers and banks that originate at the top of Mount Marapi should always be aware of the potential threat of lava hazard that can occur, especially during the rainy season," said PGA Officer Teguh Purnomo.

As is known, Mount Marapi, which erupted since Sunday, December 3, 2023, has claimed 24 people. As of Thursday, January 4 morning, the number of eruptions on the mountain located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar was 109 times, two of which occurred in early 2024.