This is the process when Mount Marapi erupted in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, Sunday 14 January 2024 morning.

White clouds followed by gray clouds and lava coming out of Mount Marapi.

Mount Marapi experienced its first eruption on December 3 2023 and has never stopped.

This morning the height of the ash column during the eruption was recorded at 1,300 meters above the peak.

Head of the Marapi Volcano Monitoring Post, Ahmad Rifandi, said that the eruption of Mount Marapi occurred at 06.21 WIB.

"The height of the ash column was observed to be approximately 1,300 meters above the peak with the ash column observed to be gray in color with thick intensity leaning towards the northwest," he said in a written statement.

Ahmad said that the eruption was recorded by a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 29 mm and a temporary duration of ± 45 seconds.

"Currently Mount Marapi is at Level III (Alert) Status," he said.

Ahmad appealed to the community around Mount Marapi and climbers or visitors or tourists not to enter and not carry out activities within a radius of 4.5 kilometers from the eruption center (Verbeek Crater) of Mount Marapi.

Then, people who live around valleys or streams or riverbanks that originate at the peak of Mount Marapi should always be aware of the potential threat of lava which can occur, especially during the rainy season.

"If ash falls, people are advised to use masks, cover their nose and mouth to avoid respiratory tract problems (ARI), as well as other equipment to protect their eyes and skin," he said.

Ahmad also appealed to the public to secure clean water facilities and clean the roofs of their houses from thick volcanic ash so that they do not collapse.

Then said Ahamd, all parties should maintain a conducive atmosphere in society, not spread false narratives and not be provoked by issues whose source is unclear. The public is asked to always follow the directions of the Regional Government.

Mount Marapi was also observed to experience a change in the type of eruption from the phreatic type to the magmatic type. As a result of this change in status, the danger zone which was previously 3 kilometers was also expanded to 4.5 kilometers from the peak or crater.

Marapi experienced its first eruption on December 3 2023 or more than a month ago. The eruption caused the death of 24 climbers who were carrying out activities at the top of the mountain. Since then, the eruption has never stopped until now. (*)


Video : Rizki Hidayat / Opn Images Indonesia