Due to the threat of spreading ash, falling boulders, heated volcanic clouds, and the possibility for tsunami, more than 2,100 residents of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, were evacuated on Friday, April 19. Since Friday afternoon, at least three eruptions have been recorded by Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, with the eruption column reaching a maximum height of 1,200 metres (3,900 feet).
Over 11,000 residents in the impacted area received orders to vacate their homes. Authorities from the area searched the towns around the volcano together and transported the villagers by boat to safer places.
An international airport in Manado city, less than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the erupting Mount Ruang, is still temporarily closed as volcanic ash was spewed into the air. “We are still monitoring developments in the eruption of Mount Ruang and coordinating with relevant stakeholders … to anticipate the necessary actions to ensure flight safety, security and comfort,” said Ambar Suryoko, head of the regional airport authority.
As per a statement from Indonesia’s transportation ministry, satellite imagery from the meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency shows the ash has spread to the west, northwest, northeast and southeast, covering Manado and North Minahasa. Officials worry that part of the volcano could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami, as happened in an eruption there in 1871.
Mount Ruang saw at least five large eruptions Wednesday, causing the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to issue its highest level of alert. People were ordered to stay at least 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from the 725-metre (2,378-foot) mountain. The observation from the agency on Friday said white smoke was rising from the main crater with medium to thick intensity.
East of the volcano, Tagulandang Island could be at risk if a collapse occurred. Its residents were among those being told to evacuate. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said residents would be relocated to Manado, a journey of 6 hours by boat.
(with inputs from AP)
