Geology: Increased Seismic Activity at Mount Awu, Still on Alert Status

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has urged residents to increase their vigilance regarding the heightened seismic activity at Mount Awu in Sangihe Islands Regency, North Sulawesi.

Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Ministry of ESDM, Lana Saria, in a report received in Jakarta on Tuesday, stated that this increase was observed from monitoring results of volcanic seismic activity, particularly shallow volcanic earthquakes in recent times.

“This increase in seismicity needs to be heeded given the potential hazards from Mount Awu, which could include magmatic eruptions or phreatic eruptions,” said Lana.

She explained that Mount Awu’s current activity is still at Level II or Alert since 2 February 2025.

In addition to seismic activity, visual observations by the volcanology expert team show white smoke plumes from the crater ranging from thin to moderate, with heights of about 20-200 metres above the lava dome.

According to Lana, this increase in activity is not only influenced by the volcano’s internal dynamics but also related to the rising tectonic earthquake activity in North Sulawesi and North Maluku since April 2026.

Therefore, the Geological Agency recommends that the public not enter or conduct activities within a 3 km radius of Mount Awu’s crater centre. In this regard, the public is also asked to remain calm, comply with official recommendations, and not be swayed by unverified information regarding the volcano’s activity.

“The Geological Agency will continue to monitor and evaluate the developments of Mount Awu’s activity periodically,” she said.