Erupsi Gunung Ruang Mereda, Jarak Rekomendasi Diturunkan Jadi Lima Kilometer

White smoke soared due to volcanic activity on Mount Ruang in Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi, Sunday (5/5/2024). (Between/HO-PVMBG)

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has lowered the recommended distance to watch out for Mount Ruang from seven kilometers to five kilometers, along with the decline in volcanic activity in the strato-type volcano in Sitaro, North Sulawesi.

"The volcanic activity of Mount Ruang is still high and is set at level IV or alert," said Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid in a report received by Antara in Jakarta, Sunday.

He explained, there are three indicators behind the Geological Agency lowering the recommended distance, namely the seismicity has decreased relatively; only thick smoke visuals in the peak area but the tremors are still recorded, so the potential for reduced radius; and in terms of seismicity there has not been a significant supply, thereby reducing the potential for danger.

During the last 18 hours from 00.00 to 18.00 WITA, Sunday (5/5), the number of seismicities recorded was in the form of two internal volcanic earthquakes, five shallow volcanic times, five distant tectonic earthquakes, and three continuous tremors.

On May 1-4, 2024, the Geological Agency recorded an earthquake of one earthquake, 91 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 17 deep volcanic earthquakes, three local tectonic earthquakes, 20 distant tectonic earthquakes, and seven tremors.

The Geological Agency appealed to the public not to enter a radius of five kilometers from the center of the active crater of Mount Ruang.

"The level of activity of Mount Ruang will be re-evaluated periodically, or if there is a significant change in activity," said Wafid.