PGA Post Records 67 Earthquakes Falls On Mount Karangetang, North Sulawesi

The Volcano Observation Post (PGA) recorded 67 earthquakes of Karangetang avalanches on Siau Island, Sitaro Islands Regency/ANTARA

MANADO - The Volcano Observation Post (PGA) recorded 67 avalanches on Mount Karangetang on Siau Island, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi during the observation period from 12.00 WITA to 18.00 WITA. "The level of activity of Mount Karangetang is currently level III on standby," said Head of PGA Karangetang Post, Yudia P Tatipang in a statement in Manado, Antara, Friday, July 21. A total of 67 earthquake avalanches have an amplitude of between three millimeters to 25 millimeters with a duration of between 32-102 seconds. It was also recorded that one distant tectonic earthquake with an amplitude of 15 millimeters, S-P: 10 seconds with a duration of 72 seconds "Tremor continuous or microtremor recorded with an amplitude of between 0.5 millimeters to four millimeters," he said. He added that in the previous six hours, 79 avalanches were recorded with an amplitude of between 10-35 millimeters for 50-81 seconds. Visually, the mountain's body was clear to foggy, while moderate to strong pressure crater smoke was observed to be white with moderate to thick intensity and 100 meters high above the crater peak. The incandescent lava fell from the tip of the melting and from the top of the crater led to Kahetang River approximately 1,750 meters, Batuawang River and Batang River about 1,000 meters, while to Timbelang River it was approximately 800 meters, and West Kalo Beha about 1,500 meters. Lava avalanches sometimes cause light to moderate gray white smoke and the sound of lava avalanches sounds weak to rather strong. "We hope that residents are aware of the potential for hot clouds of avalanches and floods of volcanic material that can occur from rivers or rivers that originate from the top of the crater," said Yudia P Tatipang.