The Earthquake Of Mount Soputan Is Dominated By Tectonic Earthquakes, The Status Is Still A Alert Level

Mount Soputan in Southeast Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi. BETWEEN A Polelatan (Ho)

MANADO - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) noted that the seismic activity of Mount Soputan in Southeast Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, in the period 16 31 July 2025 was dominated by distant tectonic earthquakes as many as 98 times.

"The seismograph also recorded 17 avalanches of earthquakes, 12 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 16 deep volcanic earthquakes, and two earthquakes were felt," said Head of the Geological Agency, Muhammad Wafid AN, in a report received in Manado, Antara, Sunday, August 24.

Head of the Center for Monitoring of Volcano and Disaster Mitigation of the Land Movement of Sulawesi and Maluku Juliana DJ Rumambi added, visually avalanches were not observed and the average crater smoke height was still below 100 meters from the summit. However, instrumentally, seismic activity was observed to remain high and fluctuating.

"When compared to the previous period, tectonic earthquakes increased due to the earthquake being felt, but this was not followed by an increase in volcanic earthquakes. Deformationally there were also no significant changes," said Wafid.

The potential danger of Mount Soputan's activity currently includes ejection and flow or lava avalanches or pyroclastics. If there is an eruption, the secondary danger in the form of lava can threaten the river flow or valley that originates in the mountain.

"Based on analysis until July 31, 2025, the activity level of Mount Soputan remains at Level II (Alert)," said Wafid.

Wafid meminta warga mematuhi rekomendasi, di antaranya tidak beraktivitas dalam radius 1,5 kilometer dari puncak serta area sektoral sejauh 2,5 kilometer ke arah lereng barat hingga barat laut. Menyiapkan masker penutup hidung dan mulut untuk mengantisipasi hujan abu.

Sungai yang perlu diwaspadai meliputi Sungai Ranowangko, Sungai Lawian, Sungai Popang, dan Londola Kelewahu.

Wafid asked residents to comply with recommendations, including not doing activities within a radius of 1.5 kilometers from the peak and sectoral areas as far as 2.5 kilometers to the west to northwest slopes. Prepare a nose and mouth covering mask to anticipate ash rain.

The rivers that need to be watched out for include the Ranowangko River, Lawian River, Popang River, and Londola Kelewahu.