JAKARTA, Dec 7 (NNN-ANTARA) – The Ibu volcano on Halmahera Island, in the eastern Indonesian province of North Maluku, erupted at around 11.00 a.m. local time today, for about 90 seconds, throwing ash up to 1,200 metres above its peak, according to the country’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).
“The ash column was observed to be gray in color, with thick intensity towards the south-east,” said Efrita Saragih, an officer at the volcano’s monitoring post.
Standing as high as around 1,300 metres above sea level, Ibu volcano is classified in the second danger level, below the highest level of IV. The volcano has erupted 60 times, since the beginning of this year, PVMBG said.
Saragih called on the public not to have activities within a radius of 3.5 kilometres from the crater.
“People who have outdoor activities are advised to wear nose, mouth and eye protectors, when volcanic ashes fall,” she said.
Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the countries with the most volcanoes in the world.– NNN-ANTARA
