Mount Marapi Eruption Again

Mount Marapi erupted on Friday (19/1) at 10.14 WIB with a volcanic ash height of 500 meters (Between/HO-Personal Documents)

JAKARTA - Mount Marapi in West Sumatra has again experienced an eruption as high as 500 meters, which this time was clearly seen by residents in the Agam Regency and Bukittinggi City areas.

"There has been an eruption at 10.14 WIB today with a column height of ash being observed 500 meters above the peak or 3,391 meters above sea level," said Volcano Observer (PGA) officer Teguh Purnomo as reported by ANTARA, Friday, January 19.

He explained that the ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity leaning towards the southwest.

"This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 6.1 millimeters and a temporary duration of 1 minute 2 seconds," he said.

One of the residents of Bukittinggi City, Rizal Hatta (36) said the eruption did not cause a boom, but it was very clear that there was high volcanic ash from the peak of Marapi.

"There is also no vibration like an earthquake, but it is clearly visible because it is usually covered in clouds. The direction of smoke seems to be towards the city of Padang Panjang," he said.

This eruption has become the 132nd eruption since the first time Mount Marapi erupted in the early December 2023 period.

In detail, Mount Marapi experienced an eruption 24 times in January 2024 to date and 108 times in December 2023.

Mount Marapi is currently at level III (standby) status with the recommendation of the people around the mountain not to enter and not to carry out activities within a radius of 4.5 kilometers from the eruption center (verbeek area).