Residents in Halmahera urged to prepare masks ahead of Mount Ibu eruption

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has urged communities around Mount Ibu in West Halmahera, North Maluku, to prepare personal protective equipment such as masks and goggles to anticipate the impact of ash rain following the eruption that occurred on Wednesday morning. Acting Head of the Geological Agency Lana Saria, in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, reported that Mount Ibu erupted again at 09:54 WIT, with the ash column observed reaching 400 metres above the summit or approximately 1,725 metres above sea level. Geological Agency personnel observed the eruption’s ash column as grey with medium intensity, leaning towards the west. Accordingly, Lana stated that if ash rain occurs, people engaging in outdoor activities are advised to use nose and mouth protection or masks, as well as eye protection. Based on seismogram recordings, this eruption had a maximum amplitude of 23 mm with a duration of approximately 55 seconds. Currently, the volcano located on Halmahera Island remains at Status Level II (Alert). The Geological Agency through the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has set a danger zone with recommendations that the public and tourists refrain from activities within a 2-kilometre radius of the active crater. Additionally, a sectoral expansion is applied up to 3.5 kilometres in the direction of the crater opening to the north. She urged the public to remain calm and not spread false narratives or hoaxes related to the volcano’s activity, and to always follow guidance from local government and coordinate with the Mount Ibu Observation Post in Gam Ici Village, West Halmahera. Furthermore, the West Halmahera Regency Government is requested to continue intensive communication with PVMBG Bandung to obtain the latest updates on Mount Ibu’s volcanic activity in order to ensure the safety of residents in areas outside the affected settlements.