- author, Writing
- stock, BBC News World
The eruption of Indonesia's Ruang volcano that began Wednesday night triggered warnings of a possible tsunami in the Southeast Asian country.
Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) ordered a six-kilometer safety perimeter around the volcano on Tagulandang Island, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people.
The eruption of the mountain, located in the archipelago of the Sulawesi Islands, created a 24-meter tsunami in 1871, which killed about 400 people.
PVMBG pointed out that The eruption of Ruang Volcano remains active for hoursSo there is a risk of earthquake.
The BBC Indonesian service notes that they are recording Ash fall and pyroclastic activity In the area around Mt.
About 800 people were evacuated overnight by authorities.
The National Disaster Management Agency said about 11,000 residents may have to evacuate because of the Level 4 alert.
“We're running away!” said a witness, who hurried to leave. “We escape because the ash is getting closer.”
Alert status
PVMBG officials said this Thursday that the eruption of Mount Ruang occurred around 9:15 pm on Wednesday. It was “very sudden and rapid in its increase,” they said.
Earlier, there were dozens of tectonic movements since last week, which activated experts' warnings.
“We have raised the status of Mount Ruang at 10:00 on April 16, 2024, including a danger advisory up to a safety perimeter of two kilometers from the center of activity of the mountain,” said Heruningthyas Desi Poornamsari, head of the Volcanology Department of the PVMGB.
Then, on April 16, there was a weak eruption, but Action escalated to explosive levels on Wednesday night.
The PVMBG seismograph recorded a series of explosions and earthquakes accompanied by roars and lightning.
Ruong, in which A 725 meters highIt recorded a type of explosive eruption capable of ejecting hot clouds and glowing rocks up to 3,000 meters high.
The activity was captured in several photos and videos circulating on social networks, with red lava being ejected at high altitudes and the appearance of several lightning bolts.
Tsunami is likely
On Wednesday, the PVMBG raised the alert again after a major eruption in the early hours of the morning.
The agency said it has the potential to cause a tsunami if a large amount falls from the mountain into the sea.
Residents of Ruang Island and the western part of Thakulandong Island were evacuated from the evening. Roofs of houses were damaged by falling rocks on Dagulantang Island.
Sand rain also fell in the western part of Thagulantang Island, causing fear among the local people. A local hospital and a correctional center were affected, and their residents had to be evacuated.
In 1871 the country experienced the devastating eruption of Ruang, which caused a tsunami up to 24 meters high, which killed around 400 people.
Remember that you can receive notifications on our app. Download the latest version and activate them.