Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert on Wednesday in response to numerous eruptions of the Ruang mountain volcano, propelling ash and lava thousands of feet into the air. This alert, spanning across various regions of Indonesia, prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 individuals, as reported by local authorities.
If reports are to go by, Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano Thursday due to the dangers of spreading ash, hot volcanic clouds, falling rocks, and the possibility of a tsunami.
Mount Ruang, situated on the northern side of Sulawesi Island, experienced at least five significant eruptions on Wednesday, prompting the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation to issue its highest-level alert, signifying an active eruption.
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On Thursday, the crater consistently released white-gray smoke, ascending over 500 m (1,640 ft) above the summit throughout the day. Authorities mandated a minimum evacuation distance of 6 km (3.7 miles) from the 725-m (2,378-ft) mountain, affecting over 11,000 residents, of whom approximately 800 have complied thus far.
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Reports further add that the international airport in Manado city was temporarily shut as volcanic ash dispersed into the atmosphere. Ambar Suryoko, the head of the regional airport authority added, “We have to close flight operations at Sam Ratulangi Airport due to the spread of volcanic ash, which could endanger flight safety.”
The volcanology center highlighted the potential dangers associated with the volcanic eruption, including the scenario where a portion of the volcano might collapse into the sea, triggering a tsunami. In such an event, Tagulandang Island, located to the east of the volcano, faces the risk of being affected, prompting the evacuation of its residents.
Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, stressed on Thursday the urgent need to evacuate individuals residing within a 6-km radius of Tagulandang Island to a safe location beyond this range. Additionally, he added that particular attention should be given to those residing near the coast, as they need to be vigilant about the potential hazards of incandescent rock eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and tsunami waves, which could result from the collapse of volcanic material into the sea.
The agency added that residents will be transferred to Manado, the closest city on Sulawesi Island. The journey by boat is estimated to take six hours.
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In Indonesia, volcanic eruptions have historically led to tsunamis. For example, in 1871, an eruption at Mount Ruang and the 2018 eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano resulted in tragic consequences. “Parts of the Anak Krakatau mountain fell into the ocean,” causing a tsunami that claimed 430 lives along the coasts of Sumatra and Java islands.
Indonesia, with a population of 270 million, is home to 120 active volcanoes. The country is susceptible to volcanic activity due to its location along the Ring of Fire, which is a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.
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