A powerful volcanic eruption has struck eastern Indonesia, as Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island in North Maluku province unleashed three massive blasts on Thursday.
The eruptions sent a towering ash column over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) into the sky, spewed hot lava, and sparked volcanic lightning. This prompted warnings and evacuation orders for nearby residents and tourists.
The first eruption occurred at 1:30 a.m. local time. It emitted lava and rocks while lightning flashes illuminated its crater. A second eruption followed at 7:46 a.m., lasting two minutes and shooting volcanic ash as high as 1,200 meters (4,000 feet). The third eruption happened at 8:11 a.m., with an ash column reaching about 1,000 meters above the peak.
The volcano’s alert status is still level four or the highest,” stated Heruningtyas Desi Purnamasari, an official at the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).
Authorities have advised residents and tourists to avoid an exclusion zone extending four to seven kilometres from Ibu’s crater and to wear eye and mouth coverings when outdoors. Although no new evacuation orders were issued, the Geological Agency warned of potential further eruptions.
Mount Ibu is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, having erupted over 21,000 times last year. Its latest eruptions have raised concerns among authorities and residents, given its history of violent activity.
Recent activity at Mount Ibu includes eruptions earlier this week and ongoing volcanic activity since May. Authorities have evacuated seven nearby villages since May 16 but have not planned any new evacuations following Thursday’s eruptions.
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