Mount Dukono Eruption, Smoke And Volcanic Ash As High As 2,587 Meters

Mount Dukono (Photo: Antara)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) informed the eruption activity of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, Thursday, at 06.12 WIT.

ESDM Volcanology Officer Bambang Sugiono in his statement said the eruption column was observed to reach an altitude of about 1,500 meters above the peak or about 2,587 meters above sea level.

"The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity to the northwest," said Bambang quoting Antara.

He said that until this report was announced, the eruption in the volcano was still ongoing.

Based on these conditions, ESDM issued a number of recommendations for public safety. First, the community as well as visitors and tourists are advised not to carry out any activities within a 4 kilometer radius of the Maupang Warirang Crater.

Second, considering that eruptions accompanied by volcanic ash often occur periodically and the direction of the distribution is greatly influenced by the direction and speed of the wind, residents around Mount Dukono are advised to always prepare masks or nose and mouth coverings.

"This is important to protect the respiratory system from the impact of exposure to volcanic ash," said an excerpt from ESDM information.

Bambang said the authorities were continuing to monitor the development of Mount Dukono's volcanic activity and appealed to the public to remain vigilant and follow official information from related agencies.

Indonesia is one of the countries in the Ring of Fire area or the Pacific Ring of Fire, a ring path that stretches along the edge of the Pacific Ocean and is known as the area with the most active tectonic activity in the world.

Along this area, a meeting of earth plates has caused high potential for earthquakes and volcanic activity.

As part of this ring, Indonesia has more than 120 active volcanoes spread from Sabang to Merauke. This condition makes Indonesia very vulnerable to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and even tsunamis.