16-5-2024 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s volcanology agency has raised the alert level for the Ibu volcano to the highest on its scale after recording six eruptions since this past weekend. The remote island of Halhamera, where the volcano is located, has been enveloped in thick columns of grey ash billowing several kilometres into the sky.
According to the agency, Ibu has been erupting repeatedly since May 11, following an increase in activity during April. Authorities have warned nearby residents against approaching the volcano and recommended the use of masks and goggles in the event of an ash outpouring.
“We have raised the alert level for Ibu volcano to the highest level, or Level 4,” said a spokesperson for the agency. “Residents within a 4km radius of the volcano are strictly advised to stay clear of the area.”
While Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency has not yet responded to inquiries regarding potential evacuation plans, previous volcanic eruptions in the country have necessitated the relocation of thousands of people to safer grounds.
???????? Última Hora | Nueva explosión registra el Volcán Monte Ibu de Halmahera occidental, #Indonesia. (Mayo 13, 2024). #Eruption #Volcano #Gunung #Climagram #Earthquake
Phe Baoroto ✓. pic.twitter.com/i0pd99askh
— ⚠️Alerta Climagram???? (@deZabedrosky) May 13, 2024
Indonesia, situated along the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is no stranger to volcanic activity, with 127 active volcanoes dotting its landscape. The recent eruptions of Ibu follow a series of eruptions from other volcanoes across the archipelago, including Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province.
On May 11, flash floods and cold lava flow from Mount Marapi, one of the region’s most active volcanoes, devastated several nearby districts following torrential rain. The catastrophic event claimed at least 67 lives, with 20 people still unaccounted for.
In North Sulawesi, the Ruang volcano has also been spewing incandescent lava in recent weeks, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 12,000 people from a nearby island as a precautionary measure.
