Mount Ibu erupts, ash plume 800 metres high drifting northwest

Mount Ibu, located in Halmahera Barat Regency, North Maluku, erupted again on Tuesday morning (19 May) at approximately 09:24 WIT, ejecting a grey volcanic ash plume about 800 metres above the summit and lasting about four minutes. The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reported the ash column as grey with thick intensity, drifting toward the northwest. Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, explained that the eruption on this 2,125-metre-high mountain was recorded on seismographs with a maximum amplitude of 28 millimetres and a duration of about 4 minutes 1 second. Following the event, authorities set the activity level at Level II (Waspada). The Geological Agency issued strict recommendations for residents, visitors, and tourists to maintain a safe distance: a two-kilometre radius from the crater, with restrictions extended to 3.5 kilometres toward the crater’s northern vent. Lana Saria also urged people to wear masks and eye protection when outdoors to mitigate health risks from volcanic ash. The Geological Agency asked the Halmahera Barat Regency government to continue coordinating with PVMBG or the Mount Ibu Observation Post in Gam Ici. The public was advised to stay calm, avoid spreading misinformation, and monitor developments via the Magma Indonesia app.