Mount Karangetang, located in North Sulawesi, is showing an increase in volcanic activity once again. The Sulawesi-Maluku Volcanic Observatory and Landslide Mitigation Center (PGAMBGT) recorded an eruption on Monday (13/7/2026) at 19:14 WITA, which was preceded by a Strombolian-type eruption from the North Crater on the previous Sunday night.
The Head of the PGAMBGT Center, Zakarias Dedu Ghele Raja, explained that after an explosive eruption reaching a height of 100 meters, the volcano discharged lava flows into several sectors. Lava material was observed flowing up to 1,000 meters to the north and south, and 400 meters to the west-southwest from the North Crater.
Instrumental monitoring results recorded various seismic activities, including shallow volcanic earthquakes, hybrid earthquakes, and non-harmonic tremors, indicating a continued magma supply. Despite the increased activity, the alert status of Mount Karangetang remains at Level II (Waspada/Alert).
For safety reasons, authorities emphasized a prohibition for residents and tourists from approaching or climbing within a 1.5-kilometer radius of the North Crater and the Main Crater. The danger radius has even been extended to 2.5 kilometers for the southern and southwestern sectors.
Communities living along riverbanks originating from the mountain peak are urged to remain vigilant against secondary hazards such as rain-triggered lahars and flash floods. The unstable condition of the lava material has the potential to trigger pyroclastic flows at any time, making resident preparedness in disaster-prone areas a top priority.
