Mount Ibu in West Halmahera Erupts, Status at Level II Alert
Mount Ibu in West Halmahera Regency, Halmahera Island, North Maluku, is currently at Level II (alert) status. Residents and tourists are prohibited from carrying out activities around the volcano within a 2 km radius.
“Mount Ibu is currently still at Level 2 alert, residents and tourists are prohibited from carrying out activities within a 2 km radius,” said Richard, Head of the Ibu Volcano Observation Post, when contacted on Saturday (15/8).
He said the eruption interval of Mount Ibu currently ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour, with ash column heights ranging from 200 to 1,000 metres.
Seismic activity remains fluctuating, dominated by continuous volcanic earthquakes.
According to the latest data from PVMBG, the most recent eruption of Mount Ibu occurred on Saturday evening at around 15:32 WIT.
“The ash column height was observed at ± 800 m above the summit (± 2,125 m above sea level). The ash column was observed to be white to grey in colour with moderate to thick intensity, leaning towards the north,” the press release stated.
“This eruption was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a temporary duration of ± 39 seconds,” it continued.
PVMBG recommends that residents, visitors, tourists and fishermen do not approach within a 2 km radius of the active crater as an early preventive measure.
The sectoral expansion extends 3.5 km towards the non-crater opening in the northern part of Mount Ibu’s active crater.
If ashfall occurs, residents carrying out activities outside their homes are advised to use nose, mouth and eye protection.
They also recommend that all parties maintain a conducive atmosphere in the community, not spread false narratives, and not be provoked by issues with unclear sources.
Richard said his team also urges residents to always follow the directions of the regional government.
The West Halmahera Regency Government is asked to continuously coordinate with the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation in Bandung or with the Mount Ibu Observation Post in Gam Ici to obtain direct information about Mount Ibu’s activity.
In addition, residents, government agencies and other relevant institutions can monitor the development of Mount Ibu’s activity and recommendations through the Magma Indonesia Android application.