Mount Karangetang, located on Siau Island, North Sulawesi, recorded another significant increase in volcanic activity on Sunday (12/7/2026) night. One of Indonesia's most active volcanoes spewed incandescent material and lava flows extending up to 1 kilometer from the main crater.
Head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Abdul Muhari, explained that the eruption, which occurred at 19:14 WITA, was Strombolian in character with mild explosions. This phenomenon triggered fires in the vegetation area around the upper slopes due to falling hot material.
Based on data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), this increase in activity had actually been detected since early July through a series of rockfall, gas emission, and volcanic earthquakes. Nevertheless, relevant authorities emphasized that Mount Karangetang's status currently remains at Level II (Alert).
Authorities urge residents and tourists to comply with an exclusion zone of 1.5 kilometers from the North and South Craters. In addition, residents living along riverbanks originating from the mountain are asked to remain vigilant against the risk of rain-triggered lahars, especially when precipitation intensity near the summit increases.
Given the unstable condition of material deposits at the summit, the potential for secondary lava avalanches and pyroclastic flows remains a real threat. Residents are expected to continue following official guidance from the Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands (Sitaro) Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to minimize the risk of eruption impacts.
