Multiple eruptions emanated from the towering Mount Ruang volcano in the northern Sangihe Islands on Wednesday (Thursday local time). Indonesian authorities closed the nearest airport and ordered residents to leave their homes.
The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation released its highest level alert immediately following the eruptions. Island residents saw a massive plume of ash rise over 500 meters above the mountain peak.
The Effects of Mount Ruang’s Eruption
The eruption has disrupted the lives of at least 11,000 residents who were ordered to stay at least 6 kilometers away from the 725-meter mountain. Manado City’s Sam Ratulangi Airport temporarily closed because of the volcanic ash raining down.
Authorities warned that a potential collapse of the volcano into the sea could trigger a tsunami, threatening nearby Tagulandang Island. Evacuees will relocate to the city of Manado, a six-hour boat journey away.
Mount Ruang is an active volcanic island that sits in the Sangihe Island chain in the Celebes Sea. The volcano is 67 miles (108 km) northeast of the city of Manado, which has a population of around 450,000.
The Ring of Fire
Indonesia, with 120 active volcanoes, sits along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ making it one of the most volcanically active regions in the world. The country has experienced major volcanic events that have triggered tsunamis.
The most recent tsunami was the 2018 Anak Krakatau eruption, which killed 430 people. Mount Ruang erupted in 1871, which caused a large tsunami and destruction throughout the region.
Islands such as Bali and Java are also prone to devastating volcanic eruptions. Indonesia has a population of 270 million people, many of them living near active volcanoes and fault lines.