Jakarta (ANTARA) – Mount Kerinci, located in Jambi and West Sumatra provinces, spewed a 200-meter-high column of volcanic ash on Tuesday, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported here.
“The ash column was observed to be gray to brown with moderate to thick intensity (and moving) toward the north and northeast,” Mount Kerinci observation post officer Irwan Safwan informed.
According to him, the eruption occurred at 5:58 p.m. local time with the maximum amplitude recorded at 6 mm and duration 500 seconds.
Throughout this year, Mount Kerinci has erupted three times. The first eruption occurred on October 20, 2022, with the ash column reaching a height of 750 meters above the peak, which stands 4,555 meters above the sea level.
The second eruption was reported on October 27, with the volcanic ash column, gray to black in color, observed to reach 300 meters in height. The third eruption occurred on November 1.
Hence, PVMBG has advised people, visitors, and tourists around Mount Kerinci to not climb to the crater at the top of the volcano and avoid activities within a three-kilometer radius of the active crater.
People have been prohibited from undertaking activities within the danger radius listed in the Disaster Prone Area III map.
PVMBG has also advised that airplanes avoid flight routes near Mount Kerinci, as it still has potential for erupting ash that could disturb flight paths.
Furthermore, on October 28, the Kerinci District Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in Jambi province urged people around Mount Kerinci to remain vigilant because the volcano was still emitting ash.
“Residents can continue their activities as usual. (However,) It is recommended to wear masks against Mount Kerinci dust,” chief of the Kerinci BPBD, Darifus, stated.
Kerinci BPBD is continuously monitoring Mt. Kerinci’s activity by actively coordinating with observer post officers, sub-district heads, and village heads, he added.
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