Indonesian Govt Designates Hazard Zones as Mount Dukono Erupts

March 17, 2025 | 03:15 pm

TEMPO.CO, Halmahera - Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, North Maluku, erupted again and spewed grayish ash 600 meters high above the peak on Monday morning, March 17, 2025. The volcano observer, Saum Amin, said the ash emitted from the eruption at 10:45 a.m. Tobelo time was of moderate to thick intensity, and was moving westward and northwestward.

"The eruption lasted for 33.06 seconds. The eruption is still ongoing," said Amin to Tempo, shortly after the eruption.

Despite the increased volcanic activity in recent days, the alert status of Mount Dukono remains unchanged, and local communities continue their activities as normal but advised not to approach or hike in the Malupang Warirang Crater area within a 4-kilometer radius of the crater.

"Considering that periodic volcanic ash eruptions still occur, we advise the local communities around Mount Dukono to always have masks available," Amin said.

A similar eruption also occurred yesterday, with an ash column 3,100 meters above the peak, spewing stones into the surrounding area of the crater.

The eruption of Mount Dukono is often followed by the lava flows into the surrounding rivers, a mixture of volcanic material and rainwater or groundwater.

When it erupted in 1933, Amin said, the lava from Mount Dukono flowed northward and damaged local farmland and infrastructure. The lava flow can destroy bridges, roads, and buildings along its path.

Based on the analysis of the potential danger from the eruption, the government has designated three Hazard Zones (KRB) III, II, and I in the areas surrounding Mount Dukono. Several river flows included in KRB I are at risk of crossing paths with the lava flows, namely the Mamuya and Auluto Rivers in the northwest; the Mede and Ruko Rivers in the northeast; as well as the Mancile River in the west.

To reduce the impact of lava flows, Amin mentioned that the government could develop lava flow control infrastructure. "Such as embankments, check dams, sabo dams, and lahar pockets," he said.

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