Mount Marapi Eruption Friday Afternoon For 46 Seconds

The archives of Mount Marapi in Agam Regency, West Sumatra (West Sumatra). BETWEEN/Muhammad Zulfikar

PADANG - Mount Marapi in West Sumatra (West Sumatra) erupted on Friday afternoon with a duration of about 46 seconds.

"The eruption at 17.30 WIB was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 26.5 millimeters and lasted about 46 seconds," said Gunung Marapi PGA Officer Ahmad Rifandi as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, July 25.

In its report, PGA cannot record the height of the volcanic ash column because it is covered in clouds.

Currently, the volcano as high as 2,891 meters above sea level (masl) is Level II or Alert. This means that people are prohibited from doing activities within a three-kilometer radius of the activity center (Verbeek Luxury).

In addition, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) also warns of a potential threat of cold lava, especially for people living along rivers that originate from the top of the volcano.

This condition, he said, especially during the rain or rainy season. Then if there is ash rain, he continued, people are advised to use nasal and mouth covering masks to avoid respiratory tract problems.

Separately, another PGA officer, Teguh reminded that the pile of materials caused by the volcanic eruption caused the emergence of water flows which at any time had the potential for cold lava floods.

This condition cannot be ignored because it is very vulnerable and dangerous, especially during high-intensity rain. The most likely thing is cold lava floods such as the May 11, 2024 incident which claimed dozens of lives.

"This is quite dangerous, especially for areas around the river that originate directly from the top of Mount Marapi," said Teguh.