Eruption Returns, Mount Ruang Sitaro North Sulawesi Rises Status So Be Alert

Mount Ruang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi BETWEEN/HO-Pos PGA Ruang.

JAKARTA - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has raised the status of Mount Ruang in Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi, from level III or Alert to level IV or Alert.

Head of PVMBG Hendra Gunawan said the status change will start April 17, 2024 at 21.00 WITA with a recommendation of six kilometers from the summit.

"Currently, the strength of the eruption of Mount Ruang is getting bigger and has emitted hot clouds of approximately 1.7 kilometers," he said in a report quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 17.

Hendra explained that the decision to raise the status was taken to anticipate the tsunami due to a large heat alert to the sea.

People living on the west coast of Tagulandang Island were evacuated to the east coast to avoid tsunamis and hot clouds arising from explosive eruptions from Mount Ruang.

As previously reported, two tectonic earthquakes centered in the Maluku Sea have triggered volcanic upheaval in Mount Ruang.

On April 9, 2024, a tectonic earthquake measuring 6.4 magnitudes with a depth of 27 kilometers was recorded located 94 kilometers northwest of Doi Island, North Maluku.

Five days later on April 14, 2024, the tectonic earthquake shook again with a magnitude of 5.1 and a depth of 10 kilometers recorded at 122 kilometers southwest of Doi Island, North Maluku.

Mount Ruang towering as high as 725 meters above sea level from the coastal boundary as well as forming a separate island from another island.

The strato volcano is administratively located in Tulusan Village, Tagulandang District, Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi.

PVMBG conducts visual and instrumental observations from the Gunungapi Observation Post (PGA) located in Tamulandang District, Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi.