ESDM: Shallow volcanic earthquakes at Mount Awu increase to 21 incidents per day

Manado (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), in its evaluation of Mount Awu’s activity in Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, for the period of 16-30 April, recorded 21 shallow volcanic earthquakes per day.

“The current shallow volcanic earthquakes have increased compared to the previous period, with the average incidents rising from 15 per day to 21 per day,” said Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, in a report received in Manado on Thursday.

During the evaluation period, there were 314 shallow volcanic earthquakes (VB), 15 deep volcanic earthquakes (VA), four local tectonic earthquakes (TL), and 333 distant tectonic earthquakes (TJ).

The overall energy of the volcanic earthquakes, based on the RSAM (Real Time Seismic Amplitude Measurement) value from earthquake recordings, showed fluctuating levels.

Kawah smoke emissions were observed at only 10-150 metres, predominantly under 50 metres above the lava dome.

This indicates that kawah smoke emission activity remains fluctuating, with no continuous and significant increase.

Visual and instrumental observations show that magmatic activity at Mount Awu is still occurring actively.

Sudden increases in seismicity (volcanic earthquake swarms) or increases in Low Frequency Earthquakes still need to be monitored in the future, especially following the increase in regional tectonic activity around North Sulawesi and Maluku.

In the previous evaluation period of 1-15 April 2026, there were 257 shallow volcanic earthquakes (VB) with an average of 17 incidents per day, 29 deep volcanic earthquakes (VA), three local tectonic earthquakes (TL), four felt earthquakes with intensity I-III MMI, and 747 distant tectonic earthquakes (TJ).