Mount Ibu Eruption Sprays Abu As High As Five Kilometers To The Southwest

Photo archives - A 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 - On Saturday, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported that Mount Ibu in North Maluku erupted with volcanic ash columns as high as five kilometers from the summit of the mountain crater.

Mount Richard Chaniago, an officer of the Mount Observation Post, said the eruption occurred on Saturday at 11.03 WIT.

"The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity to the southwest," he said in a report received in Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, June 1.

Richard said the eruption had a maximum amplitude of 28 millimeters and a duration of 265 seconds.

The sound of a bang accompanied by a roar was heard at the Mount Ibu observation post in Gam Ici Village, Ibu District, West Halmahera Regency.

Mount Ibu 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.

Mount Ibu is still on alert status or level IV starting May 16, 2024, until today because volcanic and seismic activity is still relatively high.

On May 1 to 29, 2024, the Geological Agency noted that tens of thousands of earthquakes occurred on Mount Ibu with details of 59 eruptions, 14 avalanches, 4,296 gusts, 212 harmonic earthquakes.

Then there were 15 tornillo earthquakes, 19,811 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 541 deep volcanic earthquakes, 8 local tectonic earthquakes, and 315 distant tectonic earthquakes, and 1 earthquake was felt.

Communities around Mount Ibu and visitors or tourists are asked not to move, climb, and approach Mount Ibu within a four-kilometer and sectoral radius of seven kilometers from the crater opening direction in the northern part of the active crater.