Tsunami warning in Indonesia after volcano eruption

Tsunami warning in Indonesia.

Airport closed due to volcanic ash.

Volcanic eruption triggers evacuations.

Terror struck within seconds for hundreds of residents following the unexpected eruption of a volcano in Indonesia.

In response, authorities have taken significant actions to ensure the safety of citizens.

According to preliminary reports, despite major concerns, there have been no casualties so far.

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Volcano erupts in Indonesia

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Indonesian authorities have closed an airport, and residents have evacuated homes near an erupting volcano.

According to CNN, this occurred on Thursday, April 18, due to hazards from ash dispersion, falling rocks, eruptive clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.

Mount Ruang, located in the northern part of the island of Sulawesi, experienced at least five major eruptions on Wednesday, April 17.

This led the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation to raise its volcanic alert to the highest level, indicating an active eruption.

Mount Ruang erupts in Indonesia

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The crater emitted a steady stream of white-gray smoke on Thursday, reaching over 1600 feet above the summit, according to The Associated Press.

Residents were ordered to stay at least 3.7 miles away from the 2,378-foot-tall mountain following the eruption.

Of the more than 11,000 people living in the affected area, at least 800 had already evacuated to safety.

The international airport in the city of Manado temporarily closed on Thursday due to the presence of volcanic ash in the air.

Impact on flight operations and air safety

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«We have to close flight operations at Sam Ratulangi Airport due to the spread of volcanic ash, which could endanger flight safety,» said Ambar Suryoko, head of the regional airport authority.

The Australian Meteorological Agency’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Center also issued a statement.

They explained that Wednesday’s eruptions sent volcanic ash more than 13 miles high and that its advance and dispersion were being monitored.

A Tsunami warning in Indonesia

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The Indonesian volcanology agency indicated that eruption risks include the possibility that part of the volcano could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami.

In December 2018, the Anak Krakatau volcano lost about three-quarters of its volume due to an eruption and triggered a tsunami that claimed more than 400 lives.

In 1871, an eruption of Ruang also caused a tsunami. The island of Tagulandang, east of the volcano, could be in danger if this happens.

The Associated Press noted that its residents are among those who received evacuation orders.

Official response to natural disasters

Tsunami warning in Indonesia / Photo: Shutterstock

«People who live in the Tagulandang Island area and are within a 6-kilometer radius must be immediately evacuated to a safe place outside the 6-kilometer radius.»

Abdul Muhari, spokesperson of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, made this announcement.

«And especially those who live near the coast should be aware of the potential for incandescent rocks to erupt, hot clouds and tsunami waves that could be triggered by the collapse of a volcanic body into the sea,» added Muhari.

The agency noted that residents will be relocated to Manado, the nearest city located on the island of Sulawesi, about six hours by sea.

Prevention and preparation for natural disasters

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Indonesia, an archipelago with over 270 million inhabitants, has 120 active volcanoes.

It is prone to volcanic activity due to its location on the Ring of Fire, a series of seismic faults forming a horseshoe in the Pacific Ocean.

About 800 residents live on the island of Ruang, who have temporarily moved to the neighboring island of Tagulandang, according to authorities.

Residents of Tagulandang must be vigilant for falling glowing rocks and surges of hot clouds, the authorities warned. No casualties have been reported.