Mount Marapi Eruption Ejects Ash 1.5 Kilometres into the Air

Mount Marapi erupted in West Sumatra on Sunday, 1 March, at 15:11 Western Indonesian Time. The ash column reached approximately 1,500 metres above the peak, or roughly 4,391 metres above sea level.

The ash column displayed a thick, greyish colouration and drifted towards the south-east. Based on seismograph recordings, the eruption exhibited a maximum amplitude of 29.8 millimetres with a duration of approximately 1 minute and 8 seconds.

This information was sourced from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM) through the Geological Agency and the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), as well as official reports from the Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Post.

Mount Marapi is currently at Alert Status Level II. The public, climbers, and tourists have been instructed not to enter a three-kilometre radius from the centre of activity at Kawah Verbeek crater.

Residents living in valleys and river valleys originating from the Marapi peak have also been advised to remain alert to the potential risk of lahars, particularly during the rainy season. Volcanic material carried by rainwater can trigger lahars in river flows.

In the event of ashfall, residents are asked to wear masks to prevent respiratory infections (ISPA). All parties have been reminded not to spread misinformation and to follow official local government directives.

The regional governments of Bukittinggi City, Padang Panjang City, Tanah Datar District, and Agam District have been asked to continue coordinating with PVMBG and the Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Post to obtain the latest information.

The development of Mount Marapi’s activity can be monitored through the official website of the Geological Agency and PVMBG, as well as the Magma Indonesia application.