Mount Marapi Erupts, Sprays Volcanic Ash 1.6 Km High

Illustration of the eruption of Mount Marapi, West Sumatra (ANTARA)

PADANG - Mount Marapi located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province (West Sumatra) spewed volcanic ash as high as 1,600 meters above the top of the mountain on Tuesday, August 12 morning.

"There has been an eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra at 08.39 WIB with a column height of ash being observed about 1,600 meters above the peak," said PGA Gunung Marapi officer Ahmad Rifandi, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday morning.

In the PGA report, the ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity leaning towards the northeast. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 30.4 millimeters and was about 34 seconds long.

Currently, Mount Marapi is on alert or Level II. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) issued a number of recommendations, including prohibiting people, tourists or visitors from doing activities within a three-kilometer radius from the activity center (Verbeek Luxury).

PVMBG also reminded the threat of cold lava potential, especially for people living along rivers that originate from the top of the volcano.

This condition is especially during rain or rainy season. In the event of ash rain, people are advised to use a nose and mouth covering mask to avoid respiratory tract problems.