Mount Ibu Maluku Utara Erupts Lontarkan Abu Volcanic As High As 5 Km

The five-kilometer high volcanic ash column was formed due to the eruption of Mount Ibu in North Maluku, Wednesday (15/5/2024). (ANTARA/HO-PVMBG)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported an eruption activity that occurred on Mount Ibu, North Maluku, with volcanic ash heights reaching five kilometers from the summit of the volcano.

The eruption occurred at 13:54 WIT resulting in a gray ash column with thick intensity leaning towards the west.

"The eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 millimeters and a temporary duration of approximately 4 minutes 43 seconds," said PVMBG Head Hendra Gunawan as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 15.

Hendra said the eruption ejected a boom and roar that was heard at the Mount Ibu observation post.

Mount Ibu, which has a height of 1,325 meters above sea level (masl), is now on Alert status or Level III since May 8, 2024. PVMBG has increased its status of the strato-type volcano due to increased volcanic activity and seismicity.

On May 11, 2024 Mount Mother had experienced a large eruption that emitted incandescent lava about one kilometer from the center of the eruption and a column of volcanic ash approximately 4,000 meters high. The eruption also created the phenomenon of volcanic thunderstorms above the top of the mountain.

Two days later on May 13, 2024, a major eruption occurred again and resulted in a column of volcanic ash approximately five kilometers high.

PVMBG recommends residents around Mount Ibu not to climb and approach the mountain within a three-kilometer radius and a five-kilometer sectoral expansion towards the crater opening in the northern part of the active crater.

Although there were several major eruptions, there were no casualties in the incident because residential areas were outside the distance of the recommendation.