Mount Ibu, located in Indonesia’s North Maluku province, erupted on 11 January. The eruption sent an ash plume 4,000 metres above the summit, prompting authorities to issue safety warnings.
The event occurred at 7:35 am local time in the West Halmahera district and lasted around three minutes. Grey ash drifted westward, and lava was thrown up to 2 kilometres from the crater.
Authorities have banned all public activities within a 4-kilometre radius of the volcano. They have also closed a 5.5-kilometre sector to the north of the crater.
“To reduce risks, residents should wear masks and protective eyewear,” said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, on 12 January.
Local authorities must work closely with the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to manage the risks effectively.
Volcanic activity remains at level III, or “Alert.” Eruption has continued sporadically since June 2024, with some days witnessing as many as 70 eruptions.
