Mount Ibu Halmahera Now Has Alert Status, Residents Are Asked Not To Approach The 4 Km Radius

DOCUMENTATION / Volcanic ash column soared out as high as approximately 5,000 meters from the top of Mount Ibu in North Maluku, Monday (13/5/2024). (ANTARA / HO-PVMBG)

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recommends that people stay away from Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, along with the increase in the status of the volcano to Alert.

"People around Mount Ibu and visitors or tourists should avoid activities, climb, and approach Mount Ibudi within a four-kilometer and sectoral radius of seven kilometers from the crater opening north of the active crater," said Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 16.

Wafid advised people who are active outside the home to wear masks and glasses in the event of ash rain so as not to disturb the respiratory system.

The potential for lava flooding in rivers that originate at the top of Mount Ibu needs to be watched out for by the public, he said, especially when heavy rains occur at the top.

"People around Mount Ibu are expected not to be provoked by rumors about the eruption of Mount Ibudan so that they always follow directions from the BPBD of North Maluku Province and the BPBD of West Halmahera Regency," said Wafid.

On May 16, 2024 at 15.00 WITBadan Geological officially raised the status of Mount Ibu from Alert or Level III to Alert or Level IV.

Mount Ibu is a strato-type volcano and has a peak height of 1,340 meters above sea level (masl). Administratively included in the area of Ibu District, West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province.

The Geological Agency made visual and instrumental observations of the volcanic observation post located in Gam Ici Village, Ibu District, West Halmahera Regency.

In the history of volcanic activity, the eruption of Mount Ibu was recorded in 1911 and since 1998 it has experienced another eruption to date with the shortest eruption of one year.

Based on records from the Geological Agency since 1999 until now Mount Ibu has experienced a continuous eruption.

"The latest condition of Mount Ibu is the formation of a lava dome in its crater with significant growth to have exceeded the crater walls, resulting in lava avalanches to the north and northwest," said Wafid.