Mount Marapi Erupts Again, Vomits Up To 900 Meters Of Ash

The eruption of Mount Marapi can be seen from the Cantiang Emergency Alert Command Post, Agam, West Sumatra. (Between/HO-Personal Documents)

SUMBAR - Mount Marapi in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) experienced an eruption with four eruptions with a volcanic ash height of 900 meters from the summit on Tuesday, February 20. According to official records from the Volcano Officer Command Post (PGA), the four eruptions occurred at 09.12 WIB, 17.58 WIB, 18.22 WIB and 19.03 WIB, respectively.

"The height of volcanic ash is observed today as high as 900 meters or 3,791 meters above sea level at the eruption at 18.22 WIB," said PGA Chairman Ahmad Rifandi in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Tuesday, February 20, quoted by Antara. He said the column of ash was observed grayish with thick intensity leaning towards the southeast. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 7.6 millimeters and a temporary duration of 56 seconds. Currently, Mount Marapi is still at level III (standby) status with the recommendation that people do not enter and do not carry out activities within a radius of 4.5 kilometers from the eruption center or the verbeek crater. He emphasized that if ash rain occurs, the public is advised to use a mask covering the nose and mouth to avoid respiratory tract (ISPA) as well as other equipment to protect the eyes and skin.

"In addition, so that residents secure clean water facilities and clean the roof of the house from thick volcanic ash so that it does not collapse," he said.

Warga yang bertempat tinggal di sekitar Gunung Marapi mengaku mendengar dengan jelas suara bergemuruh saat terjadinya letusan."Suara bergemuruh terdengar jelas di Kecamatan Ampek Angkek Agam, apalagi saat malam hari. Kondisi ini membuat kami lebih banyak beraktivitas di dalam rumah," kata seorang warga Syifa Fathiya.PGA mencatat sejak erupsi utama Marapi pada awal Desember 2023, telah terjadi 178 kali letusan dengan 39 antaranya terjadi pada Februari ini.