Mount Dukono eruption spews ash column up to 600 metres high

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Geology Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported that Mount Dukono in North Maluku erupted again, ejecting an ash plume approximately 600 metres above the crater peak on Friday morning. The Acting Head of the Geology Agency, Lana Saria, told reporters in Jakarta that the volcanic activity with the eruption was recorded from 06:09 WIT. The ash plume was observed white to gray with a thick intensity tending to move toward the east. The height of the ash column was about 1,687 metres above sea level. Lana explained that the eruption event was clearly recorded on the seismogram of the Dukono Volcano Observation Post with a maximum amplitude reaching 13 millimetres and an eruption duration of 69.55 seconds. Staff reported that the eruption activity and the emission of ash clouds were still ongoing at the time of this periodic report. Currently, the activity level of the active volcano on Halmahera Island remains at Level II or Alert. To anticipate sectoral hazard threats, the Geology Agency issued tight recommendations that people around Mount Dukono as well as visitors should not engage in outdoor activities, mountaineering, or approach the Malupang Warirang crater within a safe radius of four kilometres from the activity centre. Additionally, given that eruptions with volcanic ash occur periodically and wind direction greatly affects ash dispersal, the public is advised to stay prepared with protective equipment. The Geology Agency recommends local residents to always have masks and nose/mouth coverings to mitigate adverse effects of volcanic ash exposure on the respiratory system.