The active volcano located on Halmahera island, Indonesia known as Mount Ibu has erupted over a thousand times since the start of 2025. Local authorities have raised the alert level to the highest tier possible, which has led to the evacuation of all villages located around the volcano.
Indonesian geologists have reported a total of 1,079 eruptions during this month alone, which is much higher compared to previous periods of activity. The eruptions have ranged from 300 meters and four kilometers in height, releasing plumes of ash into the skies and putting both the environment and humans in peril.
On Sunday alone, 17 eruptions were documented, with the most significant occurring at 1:15 a.m. local time, sending a gray ash column 1.5 kilometers into the sky.
“The ash was gray, with moderate to thick intensity, drifting southwest. A loud rumbling sound was heard all the way to Mount Ibu Observation Post,” the Geological Agency reported.
Evacuation challenges
The evacuation of 3,000 civilians is currently underway, a process that is unfolding slower than expected because of villagers’ hesitation to relocate—having grown accustomed to the volcano’s activity and a heavy reliance on the current harvest season has made the residents reluctant to leave. So far, only five hundred people have been relocated to places of safety.
“There might be economic considerations, as many residents are in the middle of harvesting crops. However, we will continue to educate the community and encourage them to evacuate,” said Adietya Yuni Nurtono, the Ternate district military commander overseeing the evacuation efforts.
The Indonesian archipelago is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Mount Ibu is one of 127 active volcanoes in the country and has shown increased activity since June 2024.
The island of Halmahera, home to approximately 700,000 people as of 2022, has been placed on high alert.
-Residents, as well as visitors, have been advised to keep a distance of five to six kilometers from the volcano for safety reasons. They have also been advised to wear masks in order to prevent ash inhalation and other health problems.
Echoes of recent eruptions
The increased activity of Mount Ibu corroborates with the eruptions of other volcanos in Indonesia. In November 2024, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores, erupted more than a dozen times within a week, causing nine fatalities in its initial explosion.
Similarly, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi province erupted multiple times last year, forcing thousands to evacuate.
Currently, the evacuations near Mount Ibu are being conducted in a way that tries to achieve a balance between the safety of residents and the economic activities of the resident population.
Community education and outreach as part of volcano risk management during an eruption needs to be stressed as a key element. Local officials are trying hard to honor the wishes of the residents and their economic needs while helping in the evacuation process.
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