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15 million Indonesians live in risk zones of 127 active volcanoes

The number of people living around the volcano in the alert and standby status is estimated to reach 15 million. Therefore, preparedness and compliance with recommendations are important to minimise the risk of disasters.

As many as 127 active volcanoes put 15 million Indonesians at risk. (Photo: ANTARA)
As many as 127 active volcanoes put 15 million Indonesians at risk. (Photo: ANTARA)

Jakarta (VNA) - The Geological Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has said that out of around 500 volcanoes in Indonesia, 127 of them are active volcanoes.

Head of the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Geological Agency Priatin Hadi Wijaya said that by mid-December 2025 there were three volcanoes with level III status or standby, namely Mount Merapi in the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java, Mount Semeru in East Java, and Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara. As many as 24 other volcanoes are at Level II status or alert.

He explained that the number of people living around the volcano in the alert and standby status is estimated to reach 15 million. Therefore, preparedness and compliance with recommendations are important to minimise the risk of disasters.

The Geological Agency currently operates 74 volcano observation posts, and monitors 69 active volcanoes in Indonesia in real time. Monitoring is tightened towards the end of the year as the community's mobility increases and coincides with the peak of the rainy season.

He added that a number of volcanoes have recorded high activity levels and long eruption histories, including Mount Merapi, Semeru, Anak Krakatau, Kelud and Sinabung.

PVMBG issued a number of safety recommendations, including a ban on activities in the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan as far as 13 kilometers from the peak and restrictions on activities within a five-kilometer radius of the crater due to the potential danger of incandescent material ejection.

In addition to the eruption, the Geological Agency also warned of potential subsequent hazards such as ash rain and lava flows, especially when the intensity of the rain increases. The peak of the rainy season is expected to last until the end of January 2026, and has the potential to increase the impact of volcanic activity in vulnerable areas.

As a country on the Pacific Rim of Fire, Indonesia has a high level of vulnerability to geological disasters. The government urges people around active volcanoes to continue to monitor official information and comply with the recommendations of the authorities to avoid the risk of disasters./.

VNA
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