Mount Marapi Eruption Again With A High Abu Capai 700 Meters

Mount Marapi erupted/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Mount Marapi in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) erupted again with an eruption with an ash height reaching 700 meters above the top of the mountain, Thursday, February 8 "The Marapi eruption occurred again at 07.01 WIB and 08.00 WIB. The height of ash from above the peak was 500 meters and 700 meters, respectively," said Volcano observer (PGA) officer Ahmad Rifandi, Antara, Thursday, February 8. He said the ash height was the same as 3,591 meters above sea level with observations of a gray ash column. "The last eruption of ash with thick intensity is leaning towards the northeast. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 5.3 millimeters and a duration of 45 seconds," he said. Currently, Mount Marapi is at level III (standby) status with the recommendation that people should enter and not carry out activities within a radius of 4.5 kilometers from the center of the eruption (verbeek area).

PGA noted that so far there have been 146 eruptions and 952 gusts since Mount Marapi experienced its first eruption in early December 2023. The Agam Regency Government, which was one of the affected areas, declared an emergency alert condition for one month until February 25, 2024. Three posts were alerted, each at Butantiang Bukit Batabuun, Badorai Sungai Puar and Batu Palano as the main command post. "Hopefully Marapi will return to normal so that we can farm again. The children are also afraid every time they hear a roar, let alone a bang from the top of the mountain. Can only pray for the best," said a resident of the Puar Menan River (38).