Indonesia’s Mount Ruang volcano erupted on Tuesday (30th) for the second time in two weeks, spewing volcanic ash up to nearly 2000 meters into the air, burying surrounding villages under continuous ash and debris.
According to the Associated Press, following increased volcanic activity detected by sensors, the country’s Volcanology Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) raised the alert level of Mount Ruang to its highest level again. The agency urged residents and climbers to stay at least 6 kilometers away from the volcano’s crater.
This 725-meter-high volcano is located in North Sulawesi Province, about 95 kilometers northeast of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in the provincial capital of Manado. Due to reduced visibility and the danger volcanic ash poses to aircraft engines, the airport was closed on Tuesday morning.
In towns and cities in the surrounding areas, including Manado with a population of over 430,000, volcanic ash, sand, and rocks fell from the sky, forcing drivers to turn on their headlights even during the daytime.
Since April, Mount Ruang has experienced multiple large-scale eruptions. After the eruption on the 17th, authorities warned that a major eruption could cause parts of the volcano to collapse into the sea, triggering a tsunami. About 11,000 local residents were evacuated.
Subsequently, the alert level was lowered from level 4 to level 2, and the airport was reopened four days later. Residents returned home, and the number of people staying in temporary shelters decreased to less than 3,000.
Mount Ruang is one of approximately 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Situated in the Ring of Fire, this archipelagic nation is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The Ring of Fire is a region surrounding the Pacific Ocean known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity, extending from the western coast of the Americas to Japan and Southeast Asia.