[hanomantoto]

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Muhammad Wafid, said there has been increased activity and potential threats of danger from Mount Iya, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. Therefore, the activity level of Mount Iya has been raised from Level II (Alert) to Level III (Standby), effective from 5 November 2024 at 18.00 WITA.

In the monitoring conducted by the Geological Agency from October 1 to November 4, 2024, it was recorded that there were 28 harmonic tremor earthquakes, 77 non-harmonic tremor earthquakes, two tornillo earthquakes, three low-frequency earthquakes, two shallow volcanic earthquakes, 173 deep volcanic earthquakes, 63 local tectonic earthquakes, 56 distant tectonic earthquakes, and continuous tremors with an amplitude of 1 to 1.8 mm, dominant at 1.5 mm. 

“The seismic activity of Mount Iya during this period is dominated by harmonic tremor earthquakes, non-harmonic tremor earthquakes, continuous tremors, and deep volcanic earthquakes,” he said in an official statement received by Tempo on Wednesday, 6 November 2024.

The increase in Mount Iya’s seismic activity began to be seen in the increase in volcanic earthquake activity since August 2024. According to him, this increase indicates an increase in pressure inside the body of Mount Iya due to magmatic activity or magma migration from the depth towards the shallow layers. This pressure triggers the emergence of shallow earthquakes that can potentially cause eruptions.

In particular, tremor earthquakes began to be recorded on October 16, 2024, indicating movement or an increase in magma pressure towards the surface. It is also necessary to be aware of large-magnitude tectonic earthquakes around Mount Iya, as these can affect its volcanic activity.

Due to Mount Iya’s increased activity, the Geological Agency recommends that the surrounding communities and tourists do not approach the area and engage in activities, both on land and at sea, within a 3 km radius. “and do not approach the gas vent holes around the crater to avoid the potential danger of toxic gas,” he said.

The surrounding communities are also urged to remain calm, not be provoked by rumors about Mount Iya’s eruption, and always follow the directions from the Ende District Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial BPBD. “The activity level of Mount Iya will be reviewed again if there are significant visual changes and seismic activity,” he added.

M. RIZKI YUSRIAL | AISHA SHAIDRA

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