Manado – After experiencing a major eruption in April 2024, Mount Ruang has shown an increase in activity in recent times.
The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recorded 22 volcanic earthquakes in the mountain located in Tagulandang District, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi.
“There were 34 puffing earthquakes, three shallow volcanic earthquakes, four local tectonic earthquakes, 87 distant tectonic earthquakes, and one flood vibration earthquake,” said the Head of the Geological Agency, Mohammad Wafid, on Saturday (7/12/2024).
In the report on the activity of Mount Ruang for the period from November 16-30, 2024, it was mentioned that generally, the volcanic seismicity of Mount Ruang tends to be low, more dominated by tectonic earthquakes, likely influenced by the subduction of Sulut and double subduction in the Maluku Sea.
The activity of Mount Ruang has not yet returned to normal, although the number of seismic events has significantly decreased compared to April-May 2024, with volcanic earthquakes ranging from 1-3 per day.
“However, visually, white smoke from the main crater is still observed with varying intensity and a height of about 50 – 200 meters from the summit,” he said.
During the period from November 16 to 30, 2024, the number of seismic activities showed no significant change compared to the period from November 1 to 15, 2024.
On November 29, 2024, 25 puffing earthquakes and one flood vibration were recorded with an amplitude of 13 millimeters and a duration of 1068 seconds.
“The crater smoke was observed to be under low pressure, white in color, with thin to moderate intensity and high smoke at a height of 50-100 meters from the summit,” he said.
He said that the current potential danger includes eruptions that produce the ejection of incandescent material, and the exposure to volcanic ash which depends on the direction and speed of the wind, as well as lahar if heavy rain falls around Mount Ruang.
Leave a Reply