Indonesian officials sounded the alarm on Wednesday as the eruption of Mount Ruang escalated, warning of potential tsunami waves. The volcanic activity, which has been ongoing for days, reached its peak, prompting concerns about the safety of nearby communities.
According to Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB), Mount Ruang, located in the North Sulawesi province, experienced explosive eruptions, sending ash columns soaring more than a mile high from the peak. The situation intensified further on Thursday, with another explosive eruption, unleashing a cloud of black ash that reached nearly two miles high.
The eruptions were accompanied by ominous signs, including roaring sounds and earthquakes. Reports from the Sitaro Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency revealed that ash, stones, and gravel rained down on residential areas along the Tagulandang coast, resulting in injuries to several residents.
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In response to the escalating danger, authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of individuals residing in the Tagulandang Island area and within a roughly four-mile radius of the volcano. The scope of the evacuation efforts expanded rapidly, with over 11,000 people now instructed to leave their homes.
The situation is compounded by the risk of tsunami waves, which could be triggered by the collapse of volcanic material into the sea. This concern is rooted in the historical precedent of the 1871 eruption of Mount Ruang, which resulted in a catastrophic tsunami that devastated coastal villages.
The harrowing account of the 1871 event, documented by eyewitness Adolf Bernhard Meyere and published in the journal Nature, serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of volcanic activity in the region. Meyere described the eruption as "frightful," noting that within minutes, a massive sea-wave struck the shore of Tagoelanda, destroying three villages and claiming hundreds of lives.
As Indonesian authorities work to mitigate the risks and safeguard vulnerable communities, the urgency of the situation underscores the unpredictable and hazardous nature of volcanic activity. The safety and well-being of those living in the vicinity of Mount Ruang remain paramount, as efforts to monitor and respond to the evolving situation continue.