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Indonesia’s Ibu volcano on the remote island of Halmahera erupted on Monday morning, spewing thick ash columns several kilometers into the sky, according to the country’s volcanology agency. The five-minute eruption, which began around 9:12 am local time (0012 GMT), sent ash as high as 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). A smaller eruption was recorded just days prior on Friday.
Authorities have maintained the volcano’s alert level at the second-highest, with a five-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater. Hendra Gunawan, head of Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Centre, advised those residing near the volcano to wear masks and glasses in case of ashfall.
Dramatic footage shared by the agency depicted thick plumes of grey ash billowing from Ibu’s crater. A booming sound reportedly accompanied the eruption. While no evacuations have been reported yet, officials remain vigilant.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific’s fiery rim, is home to 127 active volcanoes. Recent volcanic activity includes North Sulawesi’s Ruang volcano, which spewed lava and lightning, forcing the evacuation of over 12,000 residents. In December, Sumatra’s Marapi volcano erupted, tragically killing over 20 people and spewing ash clouds reaching 3 kilometers.
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