Mount Marapi Erupts for Second Time in Two Days, Spouting Ash 1,000 Meters High
Reporter
September 21, 2025 | 03:43 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Mount Marapi in West Sumatra has erupted again, on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 1:28 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The eruption created a volcanic ash column that reached 1,000 meters above the peak, which is approximately 3,891 meters above sea level.
"The observed ash column is gray in color with a thick intensity, leaning southwest," stated Ahmad Rifandi, an officer at Mount Marapi's Volcano Monitoring Post.
He added that the eruption was recorded in the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 30.4 mm and a provisional duration of about 38 seconds. "What needs to be watched out for is that the eruption is still ongoing as this report is being made," he said.
This is the second eruption in two consecutive days, with Mount Marapi also erupting on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 4:24 p.m. WIB, with similar characteristics.
Currently, Mount Marapi remains at Level II (Alert). Ahmad explained that the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has issued several critical recommendations for the safety of nearby communities.
"The communities around Mount Marapi, including hikers, visitors, and tourists, are strongly prohibited from entering or engaging in activities within a 3-kilometer radius from the activity center at Verbeek Crater," Ahmad emphasized.
He also stressed the importance of being vigilant against secondary disasters. "Communities residing around the valley, riverbanks, or river flows originating from the peak of Mount Marapi must remain cautious of the potential dangers of lahars or lava floods, especially during the rainy season," Ahmad cautioned.
Due to the potential for ashfall, the public is advised to use masks to cover their nose and mouth to prevent respiratory tract disturbances.
The series of eruptions over the last two days indicates an increase in volcanic activity at Mount Marapi that warrants close monitoring. The 2,891-meter-high volcano is known as one of Indonesia's most active.
"We continue to monitor the development of volcanic activity at this volcano around the clock," Ahmad said, emphasizing the importance of coordination among various parties in managing the situation.
He urged all parties to maintain a calm atmosphere within the community and not to spread false narratives or be provoked by information from unverified sources. The public is expected to always follow the directions of local authorities.
Editor's Choice: BMKG Reports Successive Earthquakes in Bogor and Sukabumi
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
