Caution! Mount Sinabung Erupts, Alert Level Raised

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported that Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra erupted on Monday (31/8/2026). The eruption occurred at 10.17 WIB and the volcano is currently at Alert status (Level II).

The volcanic activity produced an ash column reaching 3,500 metres above the summit, or approximately 5,960 metres above sea level.

A thick black ash column was observed moving towards the east and southeast. The event lasted 1 hour, 1 minute and 48 seconds.

“The ash column was observed to be black with thick intensity, leaning towards the east and southeast. This eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 120 mm,” the Geological Agency wrote on its official Instagram account @badan.geologi on Monday (31/8/2026).

Mount Sinabung is currently at Level II or Alert status, with recommendations that must be followed by the public and tourists. Residents and visitors are urged not to carry out activities in villages that have been relocated, as well as locations within a 3 km radial radius from the summit of Mount Sinabung, and a 4.5 km radius for the south-east sector.

In addition to the threat of pyroclastic flows and volcanic ash, residents living near river flows are asked to anticipate the potential secondary hazard of cold lava. The Geological Agency has asked the Karo Regency Regional Government to continue coordinating with the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) in the field.

“The Karo Regency Regional Government should always coordinate with the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation or the Mount Sinabung Observation Post,” the Geological Agency stated.