Mount Dempo Erupted Again, Residents Nearby Advised to Continue Normal Activities

November 24, 2024 | 10:46 am

TEMPO.CO, Palembang - Mount Dempo located in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra, Indonesia, erupted again on Saturday, 23rd of November 2024. The eruption that occurred precisely at 13:38 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) resulted in an ash column approximately 200 meters above the summit of the mountain.

The Head of Geological Agency, Muhammad Wafid, stated that based on seismogram observation with a maximum amplitude of 30 micrometers (mm) and a duration of 4 minutes, the ash column appeared grayish with a thick intensity leaning towards the north. "However, post-eruption until 15:00 WIB, no earthquake or significant activities were recorded," he said in a shared written statement.

Wafid also mentioned that the current hazard potential is in the form of phreatic eruption with the threat of material projection from the main crater affecting areas within a radius of one kilometer from the eruption center. "Thin ashfall due to the eruption can occur depending on the direction and wind speed," he added.

Based on visual and instrumental monitoring results, Wafid added that the volcanic activity of Mount Dempo remains at Level II or 'Alert', without changes. This level is one level above 'Normal' condition - of the four levels of volcanic activity. The other two levels are 'Caution' (III) and 'Danger' (IV).

Nevertheless, he advised the public, hikers, visitors, and tourists not to approach or camp overnight at the Marapi-Mount Dempo crater activity center. The danger zone is set to one kilometer from the crater and the opening direction of the crater as far as 2 kilometers toward the north sector. "Considering the crater as the center of eruption and volcanic gases that can be dangerous for life," said Wafid.

Illustration of Mount Dempo's peak, Pagar Alam City, South Sumatra. ANTARA/M Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo

Wafid also urged the residents around Mount Dempo to remain calm, carry on with their normal activities, not to be provoked by rumors about Mount Dempo's eruption, and to keep up with Mount Dempo's activity developments through the MAGMA Indonesia application. Meanwhile, local government, Regional Disaster Management Agency of Province and Districts (BPBD), should always coordinate with the Mount Dempo Volcano Observation Post or the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigations (PVMBG).

According to Wafid, the level of Mount Dempo's activity will be periodically re-evaluated or in case of significant activity changes. The activity level is considered stable if no further evaluation is issued.

It is known that Mount Dempo is a strato volcano with a peak altitude of 3,173 meters above sea level. Its eruption history has been recorded since 1818 with an eruption interval of 1-32 years. The last eruption occurred on 31 May 2024, which was a phreatic eruption with an ash column height of approximately 200 meters above the active crater.

Editor's Choice: Mount Dempo Alert Status Raised; South Sumatra Residents Asked to Stay Alert 

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