Fresh eruptions from a remote Indonesian volcano have prompted new evacuation orders, leading to flight cancellations and the closure of airports this week.
Mount Ruang, standing at 725 meters (2,400 feet) on Ruang Island, North Sulawesi, has been erupting intermittently since mid-April, emitting smoke, lava, and volcanic gases.
On Tuesday alone, the volcano erupted three times, spewing lava and ash clouds into the atmosphere. Indonesia’s national PVMBG volcanology agency raised its alert level to the highest, cautioning that the collapse of volcanic material into the ocean could potentially trigger a tsunami, posing a growing threat to nearby residents and air traffic in the area.
Off the coast of the larger Tagulandang island lies Ruang, where authorities have urged over 12,000 individuals to evacuate, as reported by Reuters.
Footage unveiled by the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) on Thursday depicted massive crowds awaiting evacuation at ports amidst towering ash plumes.
On Tuesday, PVMBG heightened alert levels, cautioning about “new eruptions and ongoing earthquakes” and advising the public to wear protective masks and exercise caution.
The recent eruptions have led to the closure of at least seven airports in the area, including the Sam Ratulangi International Airport serving Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, and a renowned scuba diving destination.
To shield children from volcanic ash, nearby schools have been shut down, according to BNPB. Striking footage shared by the BNPB on Thursday captured ash billowing into the sky.
Mount Ruang is categorized as a stratovolcano, known for its conical shape and steep slopes, typically formed by the accumulation of viscous, sticky lava that does not flow easily. According to volcanologists, stratovolcanoes often produce explosive eruptions due to the accumulation of gas in the magma.
Volcanic ash emitted from Ruang has even reached the airspace of eastern Malaysia, as confirmed by Malaysia’s meteorological department. “We are continuously monitoring the movement of volcanic dust and will provide updates and issue aviation weather warnings if necessary,” stated Met Malaysia chief Muhammad Helmi Abdullah.
In response to Mount Ruang’s recent eruption, regional carrier Air Asia has canceled 21 flights.
On Wednesday, the airline advised guests traveling to and from affected destinations (between Malaysia and Indonesia) to monitor their email and phones for cancellation notifications.
“Air Asia continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide further updates as developments unfold.”
Similarly, Malaysia’s national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, issued travel advisories on Wednesday after canceling several flights in the region.
Indonesia, an archipelago in Southeast Asia with a population of 270 million, is situated along the Ring of Fire and boasts over 120 active volcanoes – the highest number globally.
Mount Ruang erupted previously in April, disrupting over 200 flights on April 18 and 19 and impacting tens of thousands of passengers, officials reported.
Due to concerns that the volcano could potentially collapse into the sea, triggering a tsunami as it did in 1871, hundreds of individuals residing in its vicinity were evacuated.
