Worry of partial collapse of erupting Indonesia's Mount Ruang raises concern of potential tsunami
Mount Ruang on Tagulandang Island, one of the Sangihe Islands located off the northern coast of Sulawesi, has erupted at least five times since Tuesday. Lava has been spewing from the crater, as ash plumes are believed to have reached the stratosphere several miles into the sky.
At least 5 eruptions detected since Tuesday from Mount Ruang in Indonesia
Mount Ruang on Tagulandang Island, one of the Sangihe Islands located off the northern coast of Sulawesi, has erupted at least five times since Tuesday. Lava has been spewing from the crater, as ash plumes are believed to have reached the stratosphere several miles into the sky.
JAKARTA, Indonesia – A volcano in Indonesia has recently experienced a series of powerful and explosive eruptions, prompting concerns of a potential tsunami.
Mount Ruang on Tagulandang Island, one of the Sangihe Islands located off the northern coast of Sulawesi, has erupted at least five times since Tuesday, the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia said. Lava has been spewing from the crater, as ash plumes are believed to have reached the stratosphere several miles into the sky. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries.
Indonesian rescuers quickly worked to evacuate thousands of people following five eruptions of Mount Ruang. The nearby airport was closed, and authorities issued a warning about falling debris that could cause a tsunami.
(Yasin Demirci/Anadolu / Getty Images)
On Thursday, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the alert status of Mount Ruang to the highest level possible. This was due to a significant increase in both visual activity and seismicity.
INDONESIA'S RUANG VOLCANO ERUPTS AS HUNDREDS EVACUATED AMID SPEWING LAVA, ASH CLOUDS
Mount Ruang volcanic eruptions trigger tsunami alert in Indonesia
Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert on Wednesday after Mount Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi erupted.
The Sitaro Regency Government ordered the mandatory evacuation of 828 local residents to avoid the life-threatening situation.
"The static population count of residents in the location should be at least 11,000 people who need to evacuate temporarily," Abdul Muhari, the head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, said in a virtual news conference early Thursday morning.
Ash and sulfur dioxide blasts from Mount Ruang volcano following its explosive eruption earlier Wednesday, climbing thousands of feet into the atmosphere.
(CIRA)
Officials are worried that a section of the volcano may collapse, causing a dangerous tsunami, which has occurred in the past. Those close to the shore have also been advised to remain vigilant of incandescent rocks erupting and hot clouds surging.
The port in Manado witnessed a flurry of activity Thursday morning as Indonesian military personnel were seen loading essential food items for evacuees and first responders onto a large ship before departing toward the active volcano site.
Indonesian military personnel load food items onto a ship as they head to the island near Mount Ruang volcano at the port in Manado, North Sulawesi, on April 18, 2024
(RONNY ADOLOF BUOL/AFP / Getty Images)
On Wednesday morning, Mount Ruang experienced more than 400 volcanic earthquakes and several eruptions throughout the evening. According to Hendra Gunawan, head of Indonesia's volcanology agency, these eruptions resulted in lava bursts or hot clouds reaching a height of nearly two miles.
![Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky.]()
Image 1 of 6Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky. (BNPB (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana))
![Mount Ruang on Tagulandang Island, one of the Sangihe Islands located off the northern coast of Sulawesi, has erupted at least five times since Tuesday. Lava has been spewing from the crater, as ash plumes are believed to have reached the stratosphere several miles into the sky.]()
Image 2 of 6Mount Ruang on Tagulandang Island, one of the Sangihe Islands located off the northern coast of Sulawesi, has erupted at least five times since Tuesday. Lava has been spewing from the crater, as ash plumes are believed to have reached the stratosphere several miles into the sky. (BNPB (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana))
![Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky.]()
Image 3 of 6Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky. (MAGMA Indonesia)
![Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky.]()
Image 4 of 6Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky. (MAGMA Indonesia)
![Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky.]()
Image 5 of 6Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky. (MAGMA Indonesia)
![Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky.]()
Image 6 of 6Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure, known as BNPB, has reported that the volcano on Ruang island, located about 62 miles from the provincial capital Manado, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday, emitting lava and ash clouds into the sky. (MAGMA Indonesia)
Some airlines had to cancel their flights to nearby regions due to the distribution of volcanic ash. Fortunately, Malaysia Airlines was able to reinstate its flights on Thursday. AirAsia, on the other hand, said it will resume travel operations once the airspace is deemed safe.
Indonesia, located in Southeast Asia and Oceania, is known for straddling the "Pacific Ring of Fire." This region is characterized by intense seismic activity and rests atop multiple tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, the Philippine Plate and the Australian Plate.
The movement of these plates has led to numerous volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis throughout Indonesia's history.
Due to its location in this geologically active region, Indonesia is considered to be one of the most seismically active countries in the world, with a high risk of natural disasters.