Massive Eruption of Indonesia's Ruang Volcano Sends Ash 19 km High

The Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, erupted massively at around 2:30 AM local time. The powerful eruption produced an ash plume that reached an estimated height of 19 km, causing darkness in the Manado region due to the widespread volcanic ash. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that as of 9:30 AM, there was no tsunami impact on Japan from the eruption.

The eruption was accompanied by a significant amount of lightning activity, with over 16,000 lightning events detected in the plume since around 1841 UTC. Explosive flows of incandescent lava were observed, indicating the intensity of the volcanic event. The eruption prompted authorities to raise the alert status for Mount Ruang to Level IV (Awas), the highest level, and recommend the immediate evacuation of residents within a 6 km radius of the active crater.

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has dispatched 34 personnel to assist in handling the impact of the eruption, including accelerating the evacuation of residents, distributing logistics, and conducting other disaster emergency rescue efforts. The impact of the eruption, such as ash rain and gravel, is reported to have a wider coverage compared to the previous eruption on April 17, 2024.

Why this matters: The massive eruption of Mount Ruang has significant implications for the safety and well-being of local residents, as well as potential disruptions to air travel in the region. The high alert level and recommended evacuations highlight the severity of the volcanic threat and the need for swift response measures to protect lives and property.

Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado has been temporarily closed due to the possible spread of volcanic ash, and will remain closed until noon on Wednesday. The island of Ruang, home to over 800 residents, was evacuated following the recent eruptions. "The eruption caused the Manado region to be covered in volcanic ash, resulting in darkness in the area," stated a representative from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). Authorities urged residents within the 6-km exclusion zone to evacuate immediately due to the risk of further explosive eruptions and potential volcanic hazards.

Key Takeaways

• Ruang volcano in Indonesia erupted massively on April 30, 2024, reaching 19 km in height.
• The eruption caused widespread ash, lightning, and explosive lava flows, prompting a Level IV alert.
• Authorities evacuated residents within 6 km of the crater and closed the Manado airport.
• The National Search and Rescue Agency dispatched 34 personnel to assist with the eruption's impact.
• The eruption had a wider coverage compared to the previous one on April 17, 2024.