Indonesia's Mount Marapi erupts again, ash reaches 3.4 km above sea level

A volcanic eruption has occurred at Mount Marapi on Sumatra Island in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province. 

The eruption sent a significant plume of ash rising 500 meters above the volcano's crater, reaching a height of approximately 3,400 meters above sea level. The ash cloud is currently drifting southeast, posing potential risks to nearby communities, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

In response to the eruption, the Indonesian Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has issued an official safety advisory. Local residents and tourists are urged to stay cautious and avoid approaching the crater within a 3-kilometre radius to ensure their safety. The authorities have also urged those in the affected areas to remain alert as the situation develops.

Mount Marapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, stands at 2,891 meters above sea level. It is situated at the northwestern edge of the Barisan mountain range, which runs along the western side of the island. Marapi has been notorious for its frequent eruptions, with the most recent major eruption in December 2023, which tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people.

By Naila Huseynova