North Maluku's Mount Dukono Still Erupts with Volcanic Ash

Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Dukono Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, reported that the eruption of Mount Dukono was still occurring on Friday evening with a volcanic ash height of 3,000 meters above the peak of the mountain.

"The mountain eruption is still ongoing until Friday evening at around 22:18 WIT with the height of the ash column observed as high as 3,000 meters above the peak," said PGA officer Bambang Sugiono, quoted by Antara, Saturday, April 4.

He explained, the eruption of Mount Dukono with the release of a gray-colored ash column with a thick intensity inclined to the northwest.

"The eruption was recorded by a seismogram with an amplitude of 14 mm and a duration of 158.21 seconds," he said.

He said, 77 times of eruption were observed with ash column heights from 1,500 to 4,000 meters above the peak of the mountain.

"Currently, Mount Dukono is at Level II or Alert status," he said.

He reminded people around Mount Dukono and visitors/tourists not to carry out activities, climb, and approach the Malupang Warirang crater within a radius of 4 kilometers.

"Considering that eruptions with volcanic ash occur periodically and the spread of ash follows the direction and speed of the wind, so that the area of the ash landing is not fixed," he said.

Therefore, people around Mount Dukono are asked to provide masks, to avoid the threat of volcanic ash on the respiratory system.

As is known, the volcanic activity of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, the day before was reported by PGA Dukono officers where the mountain erupted on Friday afternoon with a column of ash reaching about 4,000 meters above the peak.

"The eruption occurred at around 17.28 WIT and with the height of the ash column observed at approximately 4,000 meters above the peak, and the eruption is still ongoing," he said.

The column of ash produced by the eruption was observed to be gray in color with a thick intensity. The direction of ash spread is inclined to the northwest, following the direction and wind speed around the mountain area.