6-6-2024 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s Mount Ibu volcano erupted twice on Thursday, treating spectators to a mesmerizing show of incandescent lava and volcanic lightning. The 1,325-meter-high volcano, located on the eastern island of Halmahera, has been exhibiting heightened activity in recent weeks, captivating the attention of both locals and experts alike.
According to Heruningtyas Desi Purnamasari, an official from the country’s volcanology agency (PVMBG), the first eruption occurred at 1:30 a.m. local time, spewing incandescent lava and rocks into the night sky amidst a dazzling display of lightning flashes illuminating the crater. Footage released by PVMBG captured the awe-inspiring spectacle, showcasing the fiery eruption and the ethereal volcanic lightning that accompanied it.
The second eruption followed shortly after at 7:46 a.m. local time, lasting for approximately two minutes. This time, the volcano ejected volcanic ash as high as 1,200 meters into the atmosphere, enveloping the surrounding area in a thick plume of grey ash. Images from PVMBG depict the majestic clouds of ash billowing majestically from the crater, a stark reminder of the volcano’s immense power.
Heruningtyas emphasized that the alert status for Mount Ibu remains at the highest level, with PVMBG prohibiting any activities within a 7-kilometer radius of the crater. “The alert status of the volcano is still level four or the highest,” she stated, underscoring the ongoing precautions being taken to ensure public safety.
Thursday’s volcanic activity is the latest in a series of eruptions that have been occurring since May, with Mount Ibu also erupting on Tuesday, spewing 5-kilometer columns of grey ash into the sky. While authorities have already evacuated seven villages located in the vicinity since May 16, no additional evacuations are currently planned in the wake of the latest eruption.
Indonesia, situated along the geologically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” boasts an impressive 127 active volcanoes within its borders. Last month, the eruption of Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi province forced the evacuation of more than 12,000 people, while at least 60 individuals tragically lost their lives during flash floods and cold lava flows from Mount Marapi, one of the most active volcanoes in West Sumatra province.
