Mount Ibu, located on the island of Halmahera in Indonesia, has erupted once again, triggering evacuations for thousands of residents. Authorities are moving 3,000 people from the area to safety after the volcano’s eruption earlier this week sent ash clouds soaring up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) into the sky.
The eruption began on Tuesday afternoon, with ash spewing to a height of 3 kilometers (1.86 miles). Just the next day, on Wednesday morning at 07:11 a.m., the volcano erupted again, lasting for around two minutes. The ash plumes drifted westward, causing concerns for nearby communities.
Evacuations underway
In response to the growing threat, evacuations began on Wednesday evening. Priority was given to those closest to the volcano. Spokesperson Abdul Muhari confirmed that around 3,000 people live in the danger zone, though the area is home to around 13,000 residents. Thankfully, the situation on the ground remains stable for now.
Mount Ibu is no stranger to eruptions. Last May, a series of eruptions forced the evacuation of seven villages nearby. This latest eruption has been part of an ongoing pattern of volcanic activity across Indonesia, a nation that sits on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Rising danger
The eruption on January 15 prompted Indonesia’s Geological Agency to raise the volcano’s alert level to its highest. Local officials wasted no time, calling for the evacuation of 3,000 residents living near the volcano. By January 16, over 500 residents had already been moved, with more evacuations planned for the rest of the day.
“The evacuation shelters are ready,” said local disaster management spokesman Irfan Idrus. “Today, we will evacuate all residents from six villages.” Despite the uncertainty, local residents have shown resilience. “We’re used to the eruptions,” said Rista Tuyu, a local woman. “They happen frequently, but we hope this one will pass soon.”
Mount Ibu’s recent activity
Mount Ibu has been especially active since last June. Earthquakes in the region have heightened volcanic activity, with the volcano erupting nine times in January alone. Authorities are taking no chances. Residents and tourists have been advised to stay at least 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the volcano and wear face masks to protect against falling ash.
Halmahera, the island where Mount Ibu resides, is home to around 700,000 people as of 2022. The island, like much of Indonesia, is prone to seismic and volcanic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Other volcanic eruptions in Indonesia
Indonesia has experienced multiple volcanic eruptions in recent months. Last November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted in East Nusa Tenggara province, killing nine people and damaging over 2,000 homes. The eruption caused widespread disruptions, including the cancellation of over 160 flights to and from Bali.
In addition, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi erupted multiple times in 2024, forcing thousands of people to evacuate nearby islands.
The situation at Mount Ibu is still developing. Authorities continue to monitor the volcano closely. While the evacuations have been successful so far, there is concern about the potential for further eruptions. Local communities remain on edge, but they are used to the threat of volcanoes.
As Indonesia’s government faces more frequent eruptions, there are plans to permanently relocate residents living in high-risk zones. For now, the focus remains on keeping people safe and managing the ongoing volcanic threat.
Indonesia’s status as a hotspot for volcanic activity shows no signs of slowing down. But for the people of Halmahera, it’s just another chapter in their ongoing struggle with Mother Nature.
