Mount Ibu Erupts Again, Spewing Incandescent Lava 300 Meters High

Author: Dian Kencana
January 19, 2025

Lava spews from the top of Mount Ibu in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, which erupted on Sunday (1/19). (ANTARA)

SEAToday.com, Ternate - Mount Ibu in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, erupted again on Saturday (January 18) night at approximately 9:23 PM WIT, spewing incandescent lava up to 300 meters above its summit.

“The ash column reached 700 meters above the summit during the eruption,” said Axl Roeroe, an officer at the Mount Ibu Volcano Monitoring Post (PGA), on Sunday (January 19).

The volcanic ash column appeared white to gray with thick intensity and drifted southwest. This activity was recorded on the seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 14 mm and a duration of 46 seconds. The rumbling sound from the eruption was audible as far as the PGA Ibu Post in Gam Ici Village.

Mount Ibu has shown periodic eruptive activity over the past several months. The West Halmahera Regency Government (Halbar) in North Maluku (Malut) declared an emergency response status for the Mount Ibu eruption disaster for 14 days, effective from January 15 to 28, 2025, following the volcano’s escalation to Alert Level IV (Awas), the highest alert level in the volcanic warning system.

Residents and visitors are prohibited from conducting activities within a 5-kilometer radius of the volcano’s summit and up to 6 kilometers toward the northern crater opening. Additionally, those engaging in outdoor activities are advised to wear masks and goggles to protect themselves from exposure to volcanic ash during ashfall.

The PGA Ibu Post has urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation or hoaxes, and refrain from being influenced by unverified sources. “Follow the guidance from local authorities and stay updated through information directly from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation or the PGA Ibu Post in Gam Ici Village,” Axl emphasized.

The West Halmahera Regency Government continues to coordinate with the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to ensure optimal preparedness and mitigation measures against potential threats from Mount Ibu’s activity.