The Geological Agency Records 11,738 Earthquake Activities In Motherland In 2 Weeks

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)

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported that over the past two weeks there have been 11,738 earthquakes due to volcanic activity of Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island, North Maluku. "The volcanic earthquake indicating a significant increase," said Head of the Geological Agency Muhammad Wafid in a statement in Jakarta, Thursday. Wafid revealed that a series of shallow earthquakes were also recorded on Mount Ibu. The appearance of the shallow earthquake indicates an increase in pressure due to magma migration to shallow depths. In the period 1-15 May 2024, the seismicities recorded on Mount Ibu were 40 earthquakes, 7 avalanche earthquakes, 1,850 gusts, 49 harmonic earthquakes, 13 tornillo earthquakes. Then, 7,590 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 80 deep volcanic earthquakes, 1 local tectonic earthquake, 132 distant tectonic earthquakes, and 1 earthquake were felt. Meanwhile, on May 16, 2024, from 00.00 to 18.00 WIT, the Geological Agency recorded 1,975 earthquakes. consisting of 4 eruption earthquakes, 185 gust earthquakes, 2 avalanche earthquakes, 12 harmonic earthquakes, 1,744 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 22 volcanic earthquakes, and 6 distant tectonic earthquakes. Mother's Gunung is a strato-type volcano and has a peak height of 1,340 meters above sea level. Administratively included in the area of Ibu District, West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province. Geological Agency conducts visual and instrumental observations from the volcanic observation post located in Gam Ici Village, Ibu District, West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku. On May 13, 2024 at 13.14 WIT, said Wafid, his party recorded an earthquake felt on a modified scale of mercy intensity or MMI II. According to Ternate BMKG station, the source of the earthquake was 59 kilometers northwest of Jailolo, North Maluku, with a depth of 17 kilometers. Since the tectonic earthquake, drumbeat earthquakes have often appeared, especially after the eruption. The drumbeat earthquake is a volcanic microquake with a monotonic or multiplet waveform recorded from tens of minutes to months. On May 15, 2024, the Geological Agency recorded a number of shallow volcanic earthquakes reaching 2,830 events. Then, today, May 16, 2024, at 10.55 WIT from the Ternate BMKG station, an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.8 at a depth of 1 kilometer. The epicenter of the earthquake was located southwest of Tobelo, North Maluku. "From 10.38 to 12.13 WIT recorded a series of shallow earthquakes with an average amplitude of 3 millimeters, "said Wafid. Furthermore, he conveyed that along with the increase in earthquake events that occurred on Mount Ibu, the height of volcanic ash clouds also tended to increase to reach 5,000 meters from the summit crater. Meanwhile, incandescent lava reached a radius of about 1.5 kilometers from the crater of Mount Ibu.

"If there is ash rain, people who are active outside the home are advised to use a nose, mouth (mask), and eyes (glasses)," said Wafid.