“JAKARTA: “Ibu Volcano Erupts in Indonesia & Aviation Authorities Warned”, Indonesia’s
volcanology agency reported that a volcano on the remote island of Halmahera erupted on
Monday, sending a gray ash cloud soaring 6km into the sky. The agency also issued a cautionary
advisory for aviation authorities overseeing local flights.”
The eruption on Halmahera Island marks the latest in a series of volcanic activities this month. Authorities observed increased volcanic activity since April, prompting the evacuation of residents from seven adjacent villages.
“The ash column, thick and gray, is observed moving westward,” stated the agency, noting the
eruption’s occurrence at 3 a.m. local time. It recommended a clearance radius of 7km from the volcano.
“The ash column, thick and gray, is observed moving westward,” stated the agency, noting the
eruption’s occurrence at 3 a.m. local time. It recommended a clearance radius of 7km from the volcano.
The agency also issued a “red” colour code warning to local aviation authorities on Monday, the highest of its kind due to ash exceeding 6km in height, its website stated.
It previously raised the alert level of the volcano to the highest on its scale on May 16.
Ibu’s activities follow a series of eruptions of different volcanoes in Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and has 127 active volcanoes.
Flash floods and cold lava flow from Mount Marapi, one of the most active in West Sumatra province, covered several nearby districts following torrential rain on May 11, killing at least 62 people with 10 people still missing.
“In recent weeks, the Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi has erupted, emitting incandescent lava. The eruption has led authorities to evacuate over 12,000 people from a nearby island.”
