Mount Karangetang, located in the Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, has shown significant volcanic activity again after erupting on Sunday (12/7) night. This event triggered the flow of incandescent lava extending up to one kilometer from the crater's peak.
According to a report from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) released by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the activity of the 1,784-meter-above-sea-level volcano began with a Strombolian-type eruption. This weak explosive eruption launched incandescent material up to 100 meters into the air, accompanied by rumbling sounds heard around the slopes.
Hot lava flows headed in several directions, reaching 1,000 meters to the north and south, and 400 meters to the west-southwest. The ejection of volcanic material triggered bush and grass fires around the mountain peak. The reflection of light from the fire briefly created a visual effect resembling a massive blaze above the foggy clouds, but the situation was immediately handled by the Sitaro Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).
As of now, the status of Mount Karangetang remains at Level II (Alert). Based on seismic recordings throughout early July, the mountain's seismic activity is relatively high, dominated by emission earthquakes, avalanche earthquakes, shallow volcanic earthquakes, and harmonic tremors.
In response to these natural dynamics, authorities have urged local residents and tourists to comply with safety recommendations. The public is prohibited from conducting activities within the danger zone, which has a radius of 1.5 kilometers from the main crater and crater two, with a sectoral extension of 2.5 kilometers to the south-southwest. Residents living along riverbanks are also advised to remain vigilant against the threat of cold lava flows (lahars) during rainfall.
