Mt. Karangetang in N. Sulawesi on alert status
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 08/08/2011 9:58 PM
National Agency for Disaster Mitigation spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said Monday Mount Karangetang in Sitaro Regency, North Sulawesi, was on alert status.
“We increased its status to alert on Monday. We also warn that the area within a 2 kilometer radius of the volcano is the most dangerous,” said Sutopo as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.
He said evacuation efforts, however, were not necessary because there were no residential areas within the 2 kilometer radius.
Sutopo said Mt. Karangetang was one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia.
The volcano has reportedly spewed hot lava 40 times since 1675. An eruption claimed three lives in 1997, while in August 2010 four people went missing during an evacuation effort.
Karangetang also erupted in March this year, damaging one bridge and houses.
Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center head Surono previously said eighteen Indonesian volcanoes were on alert.
The center has adopted four levels of alert status: “Normal” (Level 1), “Waspada” (Level 2), “Siaga” (Level 3) and “Awas” (Level 4).
