Residents near Mount Ruang on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia are facing increased dangers as the volcano continues to erupt. The ongoing eruption has prompted authorities to evacuate more people due to the risks of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds, and the potential for a tsunami.
The international airport in Manado city, located close to the erupting volcano, remains closed temporarily as volcanic ash has been released into the air. Satellite imagery indicates that the ash has spread to various directions, affecting areas like Manado and North Minahasa.
Over 11,000 individuals have been advised to leave their homes, with at least 1,000 already evacuated. A joint team is actively working to evacuate residents from surrounding villages to safer locations via boat.
Authorities are concerned about the possibility of a volcanic collapse into the sea, which could trigger a tsunami, similar to an event in 1871. The eruption has left houses, roads, and buildings covered in gray volcanic ash, with many roofs damaged by the eruption materials.
Mount Ruang experienced five significant eruptions on Wednesday, leading to the issuance of the highest alert level by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation. People have been instructed to maintain a safe distance of at least 6 kilometers from the 725-meter mountain.
Observations on Friday revealed white smoke rising from the main crater with medium to thick intensity. Tagulandang Island, situated east of the volcano, is at risk in the event of a collapse, prompting the evacuation of its residents to Manado, a six-hour boat journey away.
Indonesia, known for its 120 active volcanoes, is susceptible to volcanic activity due to its location along the 'Ring of Fire,' a region characterized by seismic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean.
