PVMB Reminds Mount Marapi Activities Are Still High, Residents Are Asked Not To Enter The 4.5 Km Radius

Mount Marapi, which is located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, erupted accompanied by the ejection of incandescent material on Sunday (14/1/2024). BETWEEN/Muhammad Zulfikar.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported and confirmed that the activity of Mount Marapi in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency was still high, so residents were asked to stay away from the 4.5 kilometer radius from the Verbeekatau Crater at the eruption center.

"At Level III, we urge the public not to enter a radius of 4.5 kilometers because Marapi's activities are still high," said Head of the Mount Marapi Eruption Emergency Response Team from PVMBG, Kristianto, in Agam Regency, West Sumatra (West Sumatra) as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 16.

Kristianto said that volcanic activity tends to fluctuate since the eruption on December 3, 2023. Based on this note, PVMBG appealed to the public to continue to increase vigilance.

"So it fluctuates. For example, on January 13, 2024, PVMBG recorded four eruptions, then on January 14, only two eruptions," said Kristianto.

Since the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), especially PVMBG, raised the status of Mount Marapi from Level II to Level III, the ejection of the mountain's incandescent material is still within a radius of 4.5 kilometers.

However, if the ejection of the incandescent material has passed a radius of 4.5 kilometers, PVMBG will conduct a thorough evaluation, including steps taken for public safety.

"To increase the status (of the mountain) is not easy and requires various considerations," said Kristianto.

These considerations, he said, include data on seismograph recordings related to seismic activity and so on. Regarding the difference in white and gray volcanic ash that was emitted during the eruption, Kristianto said it must be investigated further in the laboratory.

"Greet volcanic ash is usually softer, but when the ash is blacker it usually contains gravel," he said.