Mount Ruang is still on alert, Mount Awu and Mount Ibu are on alert

Officer at the Geological Agency's Space Mountain Monitoring Post, Julius Rampolii, explained that a number of earthquakes were still occurring at the cone-type volcano or stratovolcano. The seismograph recorded one shallow volcanic earthquake with an amplitude of 5 millimeters, with an earthquake duration of 10 seconds. Then there was a deep volcanic earthquake with an amplitude of 5 millimeters with an earthquake duration of 16 seconds.

In addition, the agency noted the occurrence of continuous tremor earthquakes once with an amplitude of 2-4 millimeters, and a dominant amplitude of 3 millimeters. Lastly, there was still a gust earthquake with an amplitude of 4 millimeters and a duration of 21 seconds.

"The community residing within 5 kilometers from the mountain should be evacuated immediately. Residents are also urged to wear masks and avoid exposure to volcanic ash," he said in Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro), North Sulawesi, on Friday.

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Volcanic seismic activity, whether deep or shallow, indicates the presence of rock or fluid activity that will emerge from the crater. The occurrence of tremors indicates a supply of magma still present in Mount Ruang's magma chamber. Based on observations from Laingpatehi Village, located at the base of Mount Ruang on Friday, cold lahars that froze submerged homes at heights ranging from 1 to 4 meters.

Apart from Mount Ruang, high seismic activity is also occurring on Halmahera Island. On Thursday (9/5/2024), the Geological Agency raised the status of Mount Ibu, West Halmahera, North Maluku, from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Watch). This status has not been lowered until Friday at 6:00 PM WIT.

On Friday's observation, the Geological Agency recorded 112 shallow volcanic earthquakes with amplitudes of 2-16 millimeters and earthquake durations lasting 4-15 seconds. There were also 3 instances of volcanic earthquakes lasting for 5-6 seconds. In addition, there were 2 instances of distant tectonic earthquakes with amplitudes of 2-3 millimeters.

Head of the Geological Body, Muhammad Wafid, explained that on Wednesday (8/5/2024), the ash eruption of Mount Ibu reached a height of 2,000 meters above the crater peak. The community and also tourists are advised not to engage in activities within a 3-kilometer radius.

Other than Gunung Ibu, activity at Gunung Awu in the Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi, is also high. On Tuesday (16/4/2024), the status of Gunung Awu was raised from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Warning). This status has not been lowered until Friday. Residents are advised not to engage in activities within a radius of 5 kilometers.

"The observation of Mount Ibu's seismic activity indicates high seismicity. The earthquakes are dominated by types such as eruption earthquakes, gust earthquakes, and volcanic earthquakes. As the eruption approaches, a series of fairly intense volcanic earthquakes and tremors are recorded," said Muhammad Wafid.

The activities of the three volcanoes located in the Pacific Plate are considered unrelated. Kristianto, the head of the Emergency Response Unit for Mount Ruang at the Geological Agency, explained that each volcano has its own magma chamber. Therefore, the geochemical and volcanic conditions that can trigger an eruption differ from one another.

The culture of disaster mitigation needs to be improved for the people living in this archipelagic region.

He explained that these volcanoes are located in the Pacific Plate's pathway, precisely in a dual subduction zone that meets from Halmahera in the east and North Sulawesi in the west. In the western path, there are active volcanoes, such as Mount Awu, Mount Karangetan, Mount Ruang, and Mount Lokon. All five volcanoes are located in North Sulawesi Province.

In the eastern region, there are several mountains, such as Mount Gamalama and Mount Ibu in North Maluku Province. "Although they are in the same zone, each mountain has its own behavior," said Kristianto.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Geologists Association, Deddy Arif, explained that the earthquake activity of Mount Ibu has been increasing since the beginning of last year. The eruption of Mount Ibu was recorded in 1911, and then occurred again in 1998. Since 1999 until now, Mount Ibu has continued to erupt.

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In line with Kristianto, Deddy explained that volcanic seismic activities vary from one another. However, these volcanoes are located in the same tectonic zone, namely the Pacific Plate, so earthquakes in this area can trigger an increase in volcanic earthquakes. He cited the earthquake that occurred on Doi Island, North Halmahera, in mid-April which triggered earthquakes in Mount Ruang.

"Alertness is paramount. Knowledge and culture of disaster mitigation are important for residents living in the island regions of eastern Indonesia," said Deddy.