Mount Ibu Erupts, Spews 800-Metre Ash Column In North Maluku

JAKARTA, May 19 (Bernama) -- Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island in Indonesia’s North Maluku province erupted on Tuesday morning, spewing a volcanic ash column about 800 metres above its summit.

Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, said the eruption of the 2,125-metre volcano occurred at 9.24 am local time, with grey ash clouds of thick intensity drifting towards the northwest.

“The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 28 millimetres and lasted about four minutes and one second,” she said, according to ANTARA News Agency.

Lana said authorities maintained Mount Ibu’s alert status at Level II (Waspada), the second-lowest level in Indonesia’s four-tier volcanic warning system, and advised residents, visitors and tourists not to carry out activities within a two-kilometre radius of the active crater.

“The restriction was also extended to a sectoral area within 3.5 kilometres towards the northern crater opening, while residents were urged to wear face masks and protective eyewear during volcanic ash rain to minimise health risks,” she added.

--  BERNAMA