Mount Karangetang, located on Siau Island, Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, reportedly erupted on Sunday (12/7) evening at 19:14 WITA. The volcanic activity, centered in the northern crater, began with a Strombolian-type eruption accompanied by loud rumbles and the ejection of incandescent material into the area around the crater.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) noted that this eruption was followed by an effusive phase in the form of lava flows sliding in several directions, reaching distances of up to 1,000 meters to the northern and southern sectors, and 400 meters to the west-southwest. This phenomenon briefly triggered grass fires around the mountain's peak, but the local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) confirmed that the situation is now under control.
To date, the activity status of Mount Karangetang remains at Level II (Alert). Nevertheless, relevant authorities emphasized the need for high vigilance, given that the volcano, known as one of the most active in Sulawesi, has shown a significant increase in seismic frequency since early July 2026.
The government and BNPB have issued a strict warning for residents and tourists not to approach within a 1.5-kilometer radius of Crater Two and the Main Crater. In addition, communities living near riverbanks are asked to increase preparedness against the threat of rain-induced lahars and potential pyroclastic flows that could occur at any time due to the instability of volcanic material at the peak.
