Downgraded Status So Alert, Toxic Gas On Mount Marapi Measurablely Low

Archives - Eruption of Mount Marapi in Agam Regency, West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra). BETWEEN/Muhammad Zulfikar

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported that the emission rate (flux) of sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas on Mount Marapi in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) was low.

This toxic gas figure is after the decline in the status of the volcano from the Alert level to Alert.

"From the monitoring of the SO2 gas Sentinel satellite, it is measured with low quantities," said Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Wafid in a statement received in Padang, Monday, December 2, which was confiscated by Antara.

Based on agency records related to the gas quantity SO2 measurable 57 tons per day on November 24, 2024. This reflects that volcanic activity as high as 2,891 meters above sea level (masl) is dominant in the form of gas discharge (degassing) with low SO2 magazine gas content.

However, the Geological Agency still reminds the public regarding the potential for toxic volcanic gas such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), SO2, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), especially in the crater area or the volcanic peak located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency.

Although the activity of Mount Marapi shows a decline, the Geological Agency still reminds the public about the potential for eruptions to the threat of cold lava hazards, especially during the rainy season.

Because, said Muhammad Wafid, based on the evaluation of general monitoring data, Marapi's activities are volatile with a downward trend, especially in the past week.

He said the eruption could occur at any time as a form of release from the accumulation of energy with potential danger of ejecting material due to eruptions estimated within a three-kilometer radius of the activity center (Verbeek Luxury).

"The potential for eruptions is still there, but based on monitoring data so far, it is unlikely that a major eruption will occur like the December 2023 incident," he said.