The eruption of Indonesia’s Ruang volcano on Tuesday spewed lava, prompting the evacuation of over 12,000 people from nearby Tagulandang island.
Following yesterday’s eruption, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) elevated Ruang’s alert status to the highest level and cautioned Tagulandang island residents about the potential for a tsunami resulting from volcanic material collapsing into the ocean.
Herningtyas, an official from Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center, reported a second high alert due to increased lava flow and eruptions following recent earthquakes, ensuring the safe evacuation of residents.
Multiple eruptions of the Ruang volcano in Indonesia have caused ash and lava to shoot thousands of feet into the sky, prompting tsunami alerts in several Indonesian areas and the evacuation of over 11,000 people from at-risk areas.
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The northern side of Sulawesi island in Indonesia has witnessed at least five significant eruptions within 24 hours, as reported by Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, prompting authorities to raise the volcano alert to the highest level and evacuate at least 800 residents for their safety.
Mount Ruang, situated in North Sulawesi Province, experienced several eruptions on Wednesday, leading to the highest alert level being raised. Lava soared thousands of feet into the sky, necessitating the evacuation of nearby areas. The repeated eruptions prompted the closure of Indonesia’s airport.
A tsunami alert was issued due to volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, with 11,000 people evacuated to the closest city, Manado, on Sulawesi island, a six-hour boat journey away.
Indonesia, home to 120 active volcanoes and a population of 270 million, is prone to volcanic activity due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” a series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.
As of now, there have been no reports of casualties, but to mitigate potential risks, two villages on Ruang Island were completely evacuated. Indonesia’s volcano agency warned locals to remain vigilant against potential rock ejections, hot cloud discharges, and tsunamis caused by volcanic collapse into the sea.
Recent earthquakes have heightened volcanic activity in Ruang by destabilizing tectonic plates, prompting Indonesia’s volcanology agency to raise Mount Ruang’s level from Level 3 to Level 4.
Efforts are underway to completely evacuate the island as further eruptions are anticipated, with a 4-kilometer radius around the eruption site declared off-limits by the volcano agency.