Mount Marapi Erupts Again, Residents Warned of Lahar Dangers

Mount Marapi in West Sumatra experienced another eruption on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, ejecting an ash column estimated to be around 2,000 meters above the summit. The eruption, recorded at 08:42 WIB, produced a thick gray ash cloud that drifted towards the northeast.

According to Ahmad Rifandi, an observer at the Marapi Volcano Monitoring Post, the ash column reached an altitude of approximately 4,891 meters above sea level. The event was registered on seismograms with a maximum amplitude of 30 millimeters and lasted for about 1 minute and 25 seconds, with only one eruption-related tremor recorded throughout the day.

Mount Marapi, situated in the Agam and Tanah Datar regencies, is currently under Level II alert status (Waspada). As a precautionary measure, the public and tourists are strictly prohibited from entering or engaging in any activities within a 3-kilometer radius of the Verbeek Crater, the volcano's center of eruption.

Rifandi also issued a critical warning to communities residing near valleys and riverbanks originating from Marapi's peak. They are urged to remain vigilant for the potential threat of cold lava floods, particularly when intense rainfall occurs. The risk of lahar (volcanic mudflows) is present throughout the rainy season, necessitating heightened awareness among the local population.

Furthermore, residents affected by volcanic ashfall are advised to wear masks to protect their respiratory systems, use eye protection, secure clean water sources, and clear accumulated ash from rooftops to prevent structural collapse. Since its major eruption in late 2023, Mount Marapi has exhibited fluctuating volcanic activity, with periodic eruptions continuing. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) is actively monitoring the volcano's condition and will update its recommendations accordingly.