Beware Of Hot Clouds Falling Mount Karangetang, North Sulawesi, Geological Agency: Time To Break

Mount Karangetang In Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi. BETWEEN A'S Polelatan

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM) reminded to be aware of the potential for hot clouds falling from Mount Karangetang on Siau Island, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi (Sulut).

"Be aware of the presence of hot clouds of avalanches, where the old lava dome is still at the top which can collapse at any time along with the release of lava," said Head of the Geological Agency, Muhammad Wafid AN in Manado, Tuesday, May 20, as reported by Antara.

In a report on the observation period of Mount Karangetang on April 1-15, 2025, which was distributed by the Head of the Volcano Monitoring and Disaster Mitigation Center for the Land Movement of Sulawesi and Maluku, Juliana DJ Rumambi, it was stated that the characteristics of hot clouds avalanche occurred from the accumulation of falling/longsor lava material, as well as lava events during the rain at the peak.

Visual conditions were not observed in the occurrence of effusive avalanches/eruption, while the maximum smoke height reached 400 meters above the peak.

From the seismicity, the type of volcanic earthquake recorded in this week is still high, this is indicated by the accumulation of magma in the interior which may move to the shallow and even to the surface.

Meanwhile, other earthquakes are still fluctuating, not showing any increase or decrease.

From the instrumental observations of Mount Karangetang, 119 earthquake gusts were recorded, two hybrid/phase earthquakes.

Furthermore, five shallow volcanic earthquakes, 18 deep volcanic earthquakes, one local tectonic earthquake, one earthquake was felt on a modified hydro-intensity (MMI) scale I and 127 distant tectonic earthquakes.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has lowered the status of Mount Karangetang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi from Alert (Level III) to Alert (Level II) starting January 11, 2025 at 18.00 WITA.