BMKG: Volcanic Ash Spread Detected Across 4 Indonesian Volcanoes - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has identified the spread of volcanic ash from four active volcanoes in Indonesia, based on analysis of RGB Himawari-9 weather satellite imagery.

In a statement in Jakarta on Saturday, BMKG Director of Public Meteorology, Ida Pramuwardani, said volcanic ash was detected in the areas of Mount Dukono, Mount Ibu, and Mount Semeru, while Mount Lewotolo was not detected by satellite.

"Based on satellite image analysis, the distribution of volcanic ash from Mount Dukono and Mount Ibu was observed moving northeastward, while Mount Semeru was detected moving southeastward," she said.

She explained that the volcanic ash from Mount Dukono covers North Halmahera Regency and the waters southwest of Morotai. Mount Ibu covers West Halmahera and North Halmahera, and Mount Semeru covers parts of Lumajang Regency and the surrounding waters.

Of the four volcanoes reported by the Geological Agency, Mount Ibu in West Halmahera, North Maluku, is currently at Alert Level II status. Mount Ibu erupted again on Saturday at 5:49 a.m. local time, with an ash column observed approximately 400 meters above the summit.

The thick, gray ash column was observed leaning eastward, with seismograms showing a maximum amplitude of 28.0 mm and an eruption duration of 45 seconds.

Due to these conditions, the Geological Agency recommends that residents and tourists avoid activities within a 2-kilometer radius of Mount Ibu's active crater, and extend the sectoral warning to a 3.5-kilometer radius toward the northern crater opening.

The public is also advised to wear masks and protective eyewear when outdoors to prevent ashfall, and to avoid unconfirmed information by following updates from the West Halmahera Regency Government and the Gam Ici Volcano Observation Post.

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