TEMPO.CO, Bandung - The alert status of Mount Ibu in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, has been raised to the highest level IV or Awas as of today, May 16, following eruptions over the past two days. This was confirmed by the Geological Agency's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG).

“People living near Mount Ibu and visitors or tourists are advised to refrain from any activities, climbing or approaching Mount Ibu within a radius of four to seven kilometers from the summit,” said Head of the Geological Agency, Muhammad Wafid, in a statement today.

People around Mount Ibu are also asked to be aware of the potential for lava flows in rivers originating from the peak, especially during rainfall. People are also encouraged to wear nose and mouth coverings and eye protection when ash falls.

Mount Ibu's volcanic activity has been increasing since mid-April. On May 8, the volcano ejected a column of ash two kilometers into the sky. Flames, lightning, and roaring sounds were observed during the eruption.

“The height of the eruption column also tends to increase to 5,000 meters from the summit crater. The ejection of incandescent lava reached a radius of about 1.5 kilometers from the crater rim,” Wafid explained.

In the last two days, the eruption occurred on Wednesday, at 13:54 local time and on Thursday, at 09:58 local time, spewing 5 kilometers of thick ash into the sky.

The Geological Agency has recorded the history of Mount Ibu's eruptions since 1911, and from 1998 to the present, the volcano has erupted with the shortest interval of one year. The volcano has built a lava dome in the crater, which continues to grow beyond the crater walls, often resulting in lava avalanches to the north and northwest.

AHMAD FIKRI (CONTRIBUTOR)

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