Geological Agency States No Increase in Mount Marapi Activity

Padang (ANTARA) - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources states that based on the evaluation of Mount Marapi for the period 16-31 March 2026, there is no increase in activity at the volcano located in West Sumatra. “In the last two weeks (16-31 March), visual observations of Mount Marapi show that eruption events and emissions are still ongoing with relatively stable intensity,” said Acting Head of the Geological Agency Lana Saria in a written statement received in Padang on Saturday. The Geological Agency’s report indicates that the volcano, which is administratively located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, shows no significant increase in activity compared to the previous evaluation period. Mount Marapi’s seismic activity remains relatively stable, with no observed increase in earthquakes indicating additional magma supply from depth. Earthquakes related to shallow fluid pressure were observed in limited numbers without a significant rise in tremor. The real-time seismic amplitude measurement (RSAM) value fluctuates around the baseline, showing no significant energy accumulation within the volcano’s body. Furthermore, the periodic evaluation by the Geological Agency notes that the dv/v (seismic velocity variation) values are predominantly negative with fluctuations in the low to medium range, physically reflecting a decrease in the elastic modulus (stiffness) of the shallow medium. However, these negative values do not show a sustained decreasing pattern but rather fluctuate around a relatively similar range without deepening of the anomaly. Meanwhile, coherence values are at medium to high levels and relatively stable. Further, there is no observed significant trend of dv/v decrease or meaningful coherence disturbance, indicating no increase in new pressure in the shallow part of the volcano’s body. This condition reflects the dynamics of the shallow conduit system, without indications of increased pressure from new deep magma, and without escalation towards a larger eruption. “Deformation data does not show inflation indicating no strong signs of new magma filling,” she explained. Based on the monitoring data evaluation over the last two weeks, Mount Marapi’s activity generally still shows a fluctuating pattern. The dynamics of fluid or magma supply from depth still allow for eruptions. However, as long as there is no significant increase in magma supply, the potential hazards are estimated to still be in the form of incandescent material ejections and ash around the activity centre, with the main reach within a 3 km radius from the Verbeek Crater.