Mount Karangetang, located on Siau Island, Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, reportedly experienced a fairly strong explosive eruption on Sunday night at around 7:14 PM WITA. This eruption triggered ejections of material and incandescent lava into the area surrounding the volcano's main crater.
Head of the Karangetang Volcano Monitoring Post (PGA), Yudia P. Tatipang, confirmed that the rockfall of hot material triggered a vegetation fire involving thatch grass on the upper slopes. The visual effect of the burning bushes was subsequently reflected onto the clouds, creating the visual impression of a massive fire from a distance.
According to Yudia, the direction of the slide from this explosive eruption tends toward the northern sector. Nevertheless, the PGA estimates that the reach of the ejected incandescent material remains within a safe zone and does not yet threaten residential areas at the foot of the mountain.
As a precautionary measure, monitoring post personnel remain on high alert and are conducting intensive field monitoring to detect potential subsequent flows of incandescent lava. Currently, the volcanic activity status of Mount Karangetang remains set at Level II (Alert).
Authorities urge the local community and tourists to remain calm and adhere to all safety recommendations issued to avoid potential hazards from this dynamic volcanic activity.
