Starting December 1, The Geological Agency Will Lower The Alert Status Of Mount Marapi To Alert

Archives - The eruption of Mount Marapi can be seen from Agam Regency, West Sumatra. BETWEEN/Muhammad Zulfikar

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has lowered the status of Mount Marapi, which is located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra from Level III (Alert) to Level II (Alert).

"From the results of thorough analysis and evaluation, starting from December 1, 2024, the activity level of Mount Marapi has dropped from Alert Level to Alert," said Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Wafid in a statement received in Padang, Monday.

Based on the results of the evaluation until December 1, 2024, visually, volcanic activity as high as 2,891 meters above sea level is volatile, where this week it tends to show a decline.

Its activity was dominated by gusts with a height of smoke which was observed a maximum of 150 meters above the peak. The eruption that occurred was not visually observed because it was covered in fog, but the coverage of the eruption material was expected to fall around the crater area.

In addition, earthquake eruptions are also still recorded, but with very rare numbers and tend to decline. Likewise with earthquake gusts that continue to decline.

The activity of these two types of earthquakes as a manifestation of the release of energy from the fluctuation of volcanic earthquakes, especially deep volcanic ones related to the supply/intrusion of magma from depth.

"This week, the volcanic earthquake fell again when compared to the previous week. For local tectonic earthquakes around Mount Marapi, it is still active, which could be related to the dynamics of the magma intrusion," he explained.

Along with the decline in Marapi's status, the Geological Agency issued a number of recommendations, including asking the public or visitors not to enter and do not carry out activities within a three-kilometer radius of the activity center (Verbeek Luxury).

In addition, people living around the river that originates from Mount Marapi are also asked to always be aware of the potential or threat of cold lava, especially during the rainy season.