Mount Marapi erupts Monday morning, ejecting ash column 1.6 kilometres high

Mount Marapi Volcano Monitoring Post (PGA) has reported that an eruption of the volcanic mountain located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province, on Monday morning at 08:46 local time ejected an ash column reaching 1.6 kilometres high.

“The ash column height was observed at approximately 1.6 kilometres,” said Bilal Allegra Munbaits, an officer at Mount Marapi’s PGA, in Padang on Monday.

Bilal stated that the ash column was observed in grey colour with thick intensity trending towards the east. The eruption was recorded on the seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 30 millimetres and a duration of approximately 33 seconds.

Mount Marapi is currently at Alert Status Level II (Waspada). The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has issued several recommendations, including prohibiting residents, tourists, and visitors from conducting activities within a three-kilometre radius of the centre of activity (Verbeek Crater).

PVMBG has also warned of the potential threat of cold lava flows, particularly for communities living along river channels originating from the volcanic peak, especially during rainfall or the rainy season. If ash fall occurs, the public is advised to use masks covering the nose and mouth to avoid respiratory tract disorders.