Mount Marapi Erupts, Spewing Volcanic Ash 500 Metres High

Mount Marapi erupted, spewing volcanic ash 500 metres high, according to the Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Post (PGA). The volcano is located in Agam Regency and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province.

PGA Mount Marapi officer, Bilal Allegra Munbaits, explained that the ash column was observed to be grey in colour with moderate intensity, heading southeast. The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 29.8 millimetres and a duration of 32 seconds.

“The eruption of Mount Marapi occurred at 10.19 WIB with the height of the ash column observed at around 500 metres above the summit,” he said in Padang City, Saturday, 16 May 2026.

The 2,891-metre-high volcano is currently at Level II or Alert status. This means that people are prohibited from carrying out activities within a three-kilometre radius of the activity centre (Verbeek Crater).

In addition, the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) also reminded of the threat of potential cold lava flows, especially for people who live along the riverbanks that originate from the summit of the volcano. This is especially true during rain or the rainy season. Furthermore, if ashfall occurs, people are advised to wear masks to cover their nose and mouth to avoid respiratory problems.

PGA officers continuously remind that the accumulation of material from the volcanic eruption can cause the emergence of water flows that can potentially cause flash floods. (Ant)