Geological Agency Records 19 Earthquakes Falls Of Mount Space

You can see Mount Ruang on Ruang Island, Sitaro Islands Regency after the eruption on April 30, 2024. BETWEEN/HO-PVMBG-BG-KESDM (1)

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recorded 19 earthquakes from Mount Ruang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi (Sulut), during the period May 1-10.

"Eruption earthquakes, 11 gusts, 87 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 22 deep volcanic earthquakes, five local tectonic earthquakes, 44 distant tectonic earthquakes, and 27 continuous tremors," said Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 11.

The eruption occurred on May 1, 2024 at 17.43 WITA with a column height of ash observed to be 600 meters above the peak. Furthermore, on May 2, 2024, an eruption was observed at 16.12 WITA and a column of white-grain smoke with a height of 300 meters leaning north.

He said that in general, crater smoke was observed to be white and gray with moderate to thick intensity, and 100-700 meters high above the crater peak.

Then on May 7, 2024, two earthquakes erupted with weak pressure, smoke from the crater was not observed.

The earthquake from May 11, 2024 to 06.00 WITA was recorded with one gust, two deep volcanic earthquakes, four distant tectonic earthquakes, and continuous tremors with a dominant amplitude of 3 millimeters, he said, were still recorded through the RUA4 station.

The crater smoke was observed to be white with thick intensity, weak pressure and 200-400 meters high above the crater peak.

"The tremor earthquake is still being recorded and the smoke is observed to be white with a moderate-thick intensity and a height of 100-700 meters above the peak. However, it is starting to show a stable trend," said Wafid.

The current potential danger, he said, is in the form of an eruption that produces incandescent material and exposure to volcanic ash that depends on the direction and speed of the wind and lahar when heavy rains fall around Mount Ruang.

"Based on the results of visual and instrumental monitoring, Mount Ruang's volcanic activity is still high and is set at Level IV (Awas)," he said.

He hopes that the recommendations issued by the government are obeyed, including the community around Mount Ruang and visitors/tourists to remain vigilant and not enter a radius of five kilometers from the active crater center.

People who live in the Tagulandang Island area which is within a radius of five kilometers should immediately be evacuated to a safe place outside the radius.

Furthermore, people on the island of Tamulandang, especially those living near the beach, should be aware of the potential for incandescent rock and hot clouds (surge).