Mount Ruang’s Cataclysmic Eruption Prompts Tsunami Warning in Indonesia; Over 11000 Evacuated

Mount Ruang, a volcano located in North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, has erupted multiple times since Tuesday evening (16 April), forcing the evacuation of over 11000 people and triggering a tsunami warning. The initial eruption on Tuesday evening, followed by four subsequent bursts on Wednesday, propelled volcanic debris and ash more than two kilometres into the sky, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to four, the highest on the scale.

An explosive eruption of the Ruang volcano occurred just hours ago in Indonesia.

Himawari-9 captured a view of the powerful eruption. pic.twitter.com/swap7hG1Lz

— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) April 17, 2024

Tsunami Scare and Relocation

With each eruption, fears loomed; a major concern is the potential for a volcanic flank collapse, which could trigger a tsunami similar to the one caused by Ruang’s eruption in 1871. Amidst the escalating volcanic activity, the exclusion zone surrounding the crater surged from four to six kilometres, warranting additional evacuations.

Initially, over 800 individuals sought refuge on nearby Tagulandang Island, only to face further displacement as the exclusion zone expanded. Abdul Muhari, the head of the disaster agency’s data centre asserted that 11615 individuals in high-risk areas must relocate to safer grounds, with Manado being the designated destination.

Geological Reporting on Mount Ruang

Muhammad Wafid of Indonesia’s geological agency reported ash columns reaching shocking heights, with the second eruption propelling debris 2.5 kilometres into the atmosphere. Streams of red lava cascading down the mountain slopes could be observed against the night sky.

Indonesia’s susceptibility to volcanic activity is due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” a volatile series of tectonic fault lines encircling the Pacific Ocean. Indonesia has over 120 active volcanoes. In 2018, the eruption of Anak Krakatoa foreshadowed the potential present in Indonesia’s volcanic landscape, unleashing a tsunami that claimed hundreds of lives along the coasts of Sumatra and Java.

The PVMBG (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia) has reported continued activity at Mount Ruang, raising concerns about further eruptions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urging residents to stay informed and follow evacuation orders.

Impact on Aviation

The impacts of the eruptions were felt far beyond the volcano’s vicinity, disrupting air travel and leading to the closure of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado. The aviation hit extended to the neighbouring Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Malaysia.