Mount Karangetang Status Is Still On Alert Level III

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the Geological Agency, is still setting a level III alert status for Mount Karangetang in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, after an eruption of nearly seven weeks. ANTARA/HO-PVMBG (1)

MANADO - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Geological Agency has still set a level III alert status for Mount Karangetang, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, after an eruption of nearly seven weeks.

"The incandescent lava continues," said Head of PVMBG Hendra Gunawan as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, March 26.

In the report on the results of the evaluation, lava material appears to have accumulated in the valley leading to Batang River as far as about 1,750 meters from the peak and at the end of the buildup, there was an avalanche of about 150 meters.

The condition of the north crater observed at night still shows a silent fire in the body of the lava dome, while avalanches during this period were not observed.

PVMBG hopes that residents comply with the recommendations issued, namely that Mount Karangetang eruption activity visually, instrumentally, and the potential threat of danger is still high so that the level of activity is still at level III (alert).

At that level, the public, visitors, tourists, climbers are not allowed to move, and approach the area within a 2.5-kilometer radius from the main crater (south) and the northern crater, and as far as 3.5 kilometers in the south and southeast sectors.

Communities around the mountain are advised to prepare masks covering the nose and mouth to anticipate the danger of respiratory tract obstruction in the event of ash rain. Intensive monitoring by PVMBG is still being carried out to evaluate the mountain's activities.

Communities living around the banks of rivers that disgorge from the peaks in order to increase preparedness for potential threats of rain lava and flash floods are expected to remain calm, not to be provoked by fake news about eruptions, and to always follow directions from the BPBD North Sulawesi Province and the BPBD Sitaro Regency.