Indonesia’s Ibu volcano erupts, belching 7-km tower of ash

Mount Ibu on Halmahera island in North Maluku province of Indonesia erupted again on June 2, sending a column of ash about 7 kilometres high from the main summit crater.

The eruption also expells sand, carried westward by the wind

According Indonesia’s Geology Agency, the volcano erupted for more than six minutes, expelling sand, carrying westward by the wind.

The country's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) sent a response team to assist people in affected areas.

Residents have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and use masks provided earlier to protect against respiratory issues during the ongoing ash and sand rain.

Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, has 127 active volcanoes. It is prone to volcanic activity because it sits along the “Ring of Fire”, a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.

Ibu is one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, erupting more than 21,000 times in 2023. Indonesian authorities on May 16 raised the alert level for Mount Ibu to the highest (Level 4) following a series of eruptions./.

VNA