PVMBG Records Eruption Activities Of 2 Volcanoes In North Maluku

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMB) recorded the eruption of Mount Ibu in North Maluku, Sunday (30/10/2022). (ANTARA/HO-PVMBG)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) recorded two volcanic eruptions, namely Mount Ibu and Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, North Maluku.

Mount Dukono Observation Post Officer Sarjan Roboke said the eruption occurred at 06.24 WIT with an eruption column height of approximately 500 meters.

"The ash column was observed to be white to gray with thick intensity to the east," he said in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 10.

Mount Dukono is the northernmost strato volcano of a row of active volcanoes that appear on the volcanic arcs in the western part of Halmahera Island.

PVMBG recommends that people around Mount Dukono avoid activities, climb, and approach the Maupang Warirang Crater within a two-kilometer radius.

Three hours later, at 09.40 WIT, Mount Ibu also experienced an eruption with an eruption ash height of approximately 800 meters above the peak of the volcano.

Mount Pulau Observation Post Officer Ahmad Basuki said that the ash column appeared gray with thick intensity leading to the northwest.

"The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 28 millimeters and a duration of 80 seconds," said Ahmad.

PVMBG recommends the public not to move within a two-kilometer radius and a sectoral expansion of 3.5 kilometers to the crater opening in the northern part of the active crater of Mount Ibu.

If ash rains, people who are active outside the home are advised to wear masks and glasses.

Geographically, North Maluku consists of 1,474 islands. This province is formed from the movement of three tectonic plates, namely Eurasia, Pacific, and Indo-Australian that have occurred since the limestone age.

The movement of the three tectonic plates then formed a arc of the volcanic archipelago of the quarter. North Maluku has many volcanoes with a total of 16 mountains, including Mount Gamalama, Mount Ibu, Gunung Dukono, Mount Gamkonora, and Mount Jailolo.