Travel advisory to Indonesia as Mount Ibu erupts again with high floods and cold lava flow

Monday, June 3, 2024

Indonesia’s Mount Ibu erupted again on Sunday, sending thick, grey ash 7,000 meters into the air. The volcano, located on an island in the eastern North Maluku province, erupted for more than six minutes, according to Muhammad Wafid, chief of Indonesia’s Geology Agency. A towering column of ash was visible, and the eruption spewed out materials including volcanic ash and sand.

During the eruption, the wind was blowing westward, carrying volcanic material down to a site where evacuees had been living in a field at Gam Ici village. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, confirmed that a team is en route to the affected area to assess the situation and provide assistance. Local authorities have advised residents to avoid outdoor activities and remain sheltered indoors due to the ongoing rain of ash mixed with sand.

Mount Ibu has been continuously erupting since early May, prompting Indonesian authorities to raise the alert level to its highest following a series of eruptions over the past week. Indonesia, home to 270 million people, has 120 active volcanoes and is prone to volcanic activity due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.

In addition to Mount Ibu, North Sulawesi’s Ruang volcano also erupted in recent weeks, spewing incandescent lava and prompting the evacuation of over 12,000 people from a nearby island. Authorities issued a warning about the potential for a tsunami following Ruang’s eruption. Footage from Indonesia’s disaster agency showed strikes of lightning above Ruang’s crater, with fiery red clouds of lava and rocks projected into the air, raining down around the island.

These recent volcanic activities highlight the persistent geological risks faced by Indonesia. The country’s disaster management agencies remain vigilant, ready to respond to the challenges posed by its active volcanoes.

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