MOUNT IBU ERUPTS IN NORTH MALUKU, TREMORS LAST 50 SECONDS

JAKARTA, March 13 (Bernama) -- Mount Ibu in West Halmahera, North Maluku, erupted on Friday afternoon, with volcanic tremors lasting about 50 seconds.

Acting head of the Geological Agency of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM), Dr Lana Saria, said the eruption occurred at 11.42 local time with a recorded maximum amplitude of 28 millimetres.

“Although the ash plume from the eruption could not be visually observed by officers at the monitoring post, the activity still falls within the criteria for Mount Ibu, which remains at Alert Level II (Waspada),” she said, according to ANTARA News Agency on Friday.

Lana advised residents living near the volcano, as well as visitors and tourists, to avoid activities within a two-kilometre radius of the active crater.

“The restricted zone has also been extended to 3.5 kilometres toward the northern crater opening.”

“In the event of ashfall, people conducting outdoor activities are urged to wear protective gear, including masks to cover the nose and mouth as well as eye protection such as goggles,” she said.

She also urged the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

She said the West Halmahera administration had been asked to continue coordinating with the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) and the Mount Ibu observation post in Gam Ici village to obtain the latest updates on the volcano’s activity.

-- BERNAMA