Mount Ibu, located in West Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, has once again shown volcanic activity by spewing volcanic ash on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 20:27 WIT. According to data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the eruption produced an ash column approximately 500 meters above the peak or 1,825 meters above sea level.
A report from the MAGMA Indonesia application noted that the resulting ash column was gray in color with a thick intensity, moving leaning toward the northeast. This eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 20 millimeters and a duration of 58 seconds. This event adds to the long list of seismic activity of Mount Ibu, which in the past week alone has erupted 14 times.
Until now, the status of Mount Ibu remains at Level II (Alert). Based on daily seismic observations on July 7, 2026, significant activity occurred in the form of 78 eruption earthquakes, 13 harmonic earthquakes, and 75 low frequency earthquakes. The high intensity of this activity has prompted geological authorities to continue tightening monitoring.
To avoid unwanted risks, PVMBG urges local residents and tourists not to carry out activities within a 2-kilometer radius of the crater. Additionally, there is a sectoral expansion rule of 3.5 kilometers towards the crater opening on the north side that must be obeyed for the safety of residents and visitors.
For the record, throughout 2026, Indonesia has recorded 2,991 volcanic eruptions. Of this number, Mount Ibu ranks second with a record of 1,008 eruptions, just below Mount Semeru in East Java which dominates this year's eruption records with 1,344 times.
