The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) has reported that Mount Karangetang in Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Islands District, North Sulawesi Province, is at alert level III. Yudia Tatipang, the Head of the Karangetang Volcano Observation Post has appealed to residents to comply with the rules and recommendations issued by the PVMBG, particularly with regard to the dangerous zones around the volcano. During the monitoring period, light to medium-white, weak-pressure smoke was seen out of the main crater, reaching a height of 50 meters (m), along with thin to thick white smoke from the secondary crater. CCTV cameras captured the visual of flames that erupted at a height of 10 m from the tops of the main and secondary craters. The Karangetang Volcano Observation Post recorded seven hybrid volcanic earthquakes with an amplitude of 5-8 millimeters (mm) and a duration of 10-24 seconds. Meanwhile, one local tectonic earthquake and four distant tectonic earthquakes were also recorded.
Tatipang has appealed to the community, tourists, and climbers not to carry out any activity in the areas within a 2.5-kilometer radius of the main crater and a 3.5-kilometer radius of the peak in the south and southeast sectors of the volcano. Residents near the mountain are asked to remain calm and not be provoked by false information regarding the eruption of the volcano. The public should always comply with recommendations from the North Sulawesi Provincial Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and Sitaro Islands District BPBD. People who live along the banks of the river that originates from the peak of Mount Karangetang must remain vigilant to the potential lahar flow during the rainy season.
Mount Karangetang’s alert level has remained unchanged since the effusive eruption on February 8, 2023, after showing increasing volcanic activity. Residents must take care and follow the recommendations issued by the authorities to avoid any potential harm that may arise from the volcano’s activities.
