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Mt. Dukono in North Maluku erupts
Residents and visitors are advised not to enter within in a 3 kilometer radius of Mt. Dukono's crater.
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Fierce explosion: Mt Dukono in North Halmahera regency, North Maluku, erupts at 6:04 a.m. local time on Dec. 9. An ash column was visible at a height of 1,000 meters above the summit. (rri.co.id/Dukono volcano observation post)
M
t. Dukono in North Halmahera regency, North Maluku, erupted on Monday morning at about 6:04 a.m. local time, the Vulcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center’s (PVMBG) Dukono volcano observation post reported, as quoted by rri.co.id.
Dukono volcano observation post officer Bambang Sugiono said that an ash plume was observed at about 1,000 meters above the summit, or 2,087 meters above sea level.
“The ash plume was observed to be white to gray in color with thick intensity to the east,” Bambang said.
“The eruption was also recorded on the seismograph with an amplitude of 20 millimeters and a duration of 63.98 seconds.”
Bambang said that Mt. Dukono is currently at the second level of the four-level warning system. Residents living near Mt. Dukono, as well as tourists have been advised not to do any hiking or other activities within a 3 kilometer radius of the Malupang Warirang crater.
“This is because eruptions of volcanic ash happen periodically and spread according to the wind’s direction and speed. So, the ash coverage area keeps changing,” Bambang said.
The Dukono volcano observation post also recommended that residents near the volcano wear masks to prevent damage to their respiratory system due to volcanic ash.
In a separate development, Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island, the Philippines, also erupted on Monday at 3:03 p.m. local time.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert to level 3 and said that pyroclastic density currents were observed descending the volcano's southeastern slopes.
Mt. Kanlaon is located some 1,100 km northwest of Mt. Dukono.
This marks Mt. Kanlaon’s second significant eruption in six months, with the previous event in June displacing over 9,000 families from nearby villages.
“The eruption produced a voluminous plume that rapidly rose 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southwest. Pyroclastic density currents descended the slopes on the general southeastern edifice based on IP [internet protocol] and thermal camera monitors,” Phivolcs said, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency.
Phivolcs has warned that further eruptions are possible and has urged local authorities to evacuate residents within a 6 km radius from the summit. Nearby communities have also been advised to stay indoors to avoid ashfall and to take protective measures such as wearing masks.
“All local government units are advised to evacuate the 6 km radius from the summit of the volcano and must be prepared for additional evacuation if activity warrants,” said Phivolcs.
