Geological Agency Bans Climbing Mount Marapi West Sumatra During The Christmas-New Year 2025 Holiday

Archives - Mount Marapi in Agam Regency, West Sumatra when covered with clouds. BETWEEN/Muhammad Zulfikar.

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recommends a ban on climbing Mount Marapi, located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year (Nataru) holidays.

"The Geological Agency through the Marapi Volcano Observation Post reminded that there should be no climbing of Mount Marapi during the Christmas and New Year holidays because they are still vigilant," said Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Officer Ahmad Rifandi in Padang, Antara, Sunday, December 22.

Currently, the volcano, which is administratively located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, has Level II status or is vigilant. This means that referring to the recommendations of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), residents, visitors, or tourists are prohibited from entering and operating within a three-kilometer radius of the volcanic activity center, namely the Verbeek Crater.

"PGA asks the public to maintain a safe distance, namely three kilometers from Verbeek Crater. This appeal is expected to be a common concern so that there are no more victims from the eruption of Mount Marapi," he said.

Similar to PGA, the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) continues to intensify supervision of illegal climbers to Mount Marapi, Gunung Tandikek, Gunung Sago, and Gunung Singgalang ahead of the Nataru holiday.

"BKSDA has prepared officers who will carry out monitoring so that no climbers climb the mountain during the Christmas and New Year holidays," said Head of the Sub-Division of Administration of the West Sumatra BKSDA Dian Indriati.

Given that there are quite a number of entrances to Mount Marapi, Mount Singgalang, Gunung Sago, and Gunung Tandikek, the BKSDA will cooperate with the community and local village builder or Babinsa personnel to supervise it.

In addition, the West Sumatra BKSDA will also cooperate with the local nagari or village government to help oversee illegal climbers who try to rise during the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year holidays.