WATCH: Mount Ibu erupts once more, spewing 5 km high ash tower in Indonesia
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The volcano's alert level remains the second-highest, and all activities within a five-kilometre radius of the volcano are banned.
A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted, shooting a large ash cloud over five kilometres (three miles) into the sky on Monday (March 13). This happened after authorities raised the volcano's alert level last week. No damage or injuries were reported right away, but pictures showed the ash reaching high above Halmahera island in North Maluku province. Officials said it was one of the biggest eruptions in recent months, as reported by Reuters.
The Geology Agency's head, Muhammad Wafid, stated on Monday that a thick grey-black ash column was seen, drifting westward. He advised nearby residents to wear facemasks and glasses when outside to shield against falling volcanic ash.
The volcano had a smaller eruption on Saturday, emitting lava, ash reaching several kilometres high into the night sky, and generating lightning. Despite last week's elevation of the alert level to the second-highest, an exclusion zone of three to five kilometres (two to three miles) around the volcano's crater remains in place.
Watch the dramatic visuals here:
The #eruption of #Indonesia's Mount Ibu #volcano in the Halmahera region sent a dense plume of smoke shooting nearly 5km high, prompting authorities to raise alert levels and prohibit outdoor activities.#matura2024 #wildfires #lava #Fire #Sismo #aurora pic.twitter.com/4C2J41Lmu0
— F@sh (@FashTajj) May 13, 2024
G. Ibu Teramati 2 kali letusan dengan tinggi 200-5000 m dan warna asap putih, kelabu, dan hitam.
— FPMKI (@InfoFPMKI) May 13, 2024
● Teramati lontaran lava pijar diarah barat laut dan barat daya jarak lontaran 1.5 km dari pusat erupsi (pada erupsi pukul 09:12 WIT. pic.twitter.com/5UtKsXLqAO
Ibu is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with over 21,000 eruptions recorded last year. According to Geology Agency official Sofyan Primulyana, Ibu averaged 58 eruptions per day in 2023.
Why is Indonesia so prone to volcanic activity?
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," frequently experiences seismic and volcanic events. Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi province erupted multiple times last month, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of nearby island residents. It remains at the highest alert level, with plans to permanently relocate all 800 residents of Ruang island.
(With inputs from agencies)
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