Following the eruption of Mount Karangetang on Siau Island, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) issued a strict appeal for the public to comply with safe radius limits. The eruption, which occurred on Sunday night (July 12) at 19:14 WITA, forced relevant authorities to designate a disaster-prone area to ensure the safety of local residents.
Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, recommended that residents and tourists refrain from any activities within a 1.5-kilometer radius of the north and south craters. This safe distance is extended sectorally to 2.5 kilometers to the southwest and south from the south crater to anticipate unexpected threats from volcanic materials.
The local community is also urged to remain calm and filter all circulating information. Residents are asked to rely only on official reports from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) and not be easily provoked by unverified wild rumors regarding the volcano's activity.
The eruption that hit the north crater began with a low-pressure Strombolian-type eruption reaching a height of about 100 meters, accompanied by booming sounds and projections of incandescent material. This phase was followed by an effusive eruption in the form of a lava flow extending up to 1,000 meters to the north and south, as well as 400 meters to the west-southwest from the crater center.
Based on seismic activity data from July 1–11, 2026, quite fluctuating seismicity was recorded, including dozens of shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes, harmonic tremors, and tectonic earthquakes. Although Mount Karangetang's status is currently maintained at Level II (Alert), the potential secondary threat of incandescent lava falls and pyroclastic flows directed toward surrounding valleys along the mountain slopes still requires maximum vigilance.
