Antara, Manado – Mount Karangetang in Siau Tagulandang Biaro or Sitaro Islands, North Sulawesi, is still releasing lava avalanches as of Thursday morning, July 20, 2023. Head of the Karangetang Volcano Observation Post, Yudia P. Tatipang, said that the lava keeps pouring out from the volcanic crater during the observation period on Thursday from 00:00 to 06:00 local time.
Yudia reported that the lava flew towards Kali Kahetang for approximately 1,750 meters; Kali Batuawang and Kali Batang about 1,000 meters; Kali Timbelang about 800 meters; and Kali Beha Barat for approximately 1,500 meters. "The lava avalanches sometimes emit thin to thick white-gray smoke," he added.
He explained that the flames in the two craters were between 10 meters and 25 meters high during the observation period. The volcano also had 67 earthquakes with an amplitude of 5-35 millimeters for 50-176 seconds and continuous tremors with an amplitude of 0.5-5 millimeters. "The activity status of Mount Karangetang is at alert level III, Siaga (Standby)," Yudia said.
According to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), alert level Level IIl means residents, tourists, and climbers are not allowed to conduct activities within a 2.5-kilometer radius from the main crater in the southern and crater II in the northern of the mountain and a 3.5-kilometer radius in the southwestern and southeastern areas of the mountain.
People residing around the banks of rivers originating from Mount Karangetang are urged to increase their preparedness for the threat of lava flows and flash floods. People are also advised to prepare masks in anticipation of ash rain.