Jakarta (VNA) – Mount Marapi, located in the Agam and Tanah Datar regencies of Indonesia's West Sumatra province, erupted again on April 19, spewing volcanic ash up to 1,000 metres above its peak.
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported that the eruption, from the nearly 3,900-metre-high volcano, produced seismic activity with a maximum amplitude of 30.3 millimetres and lasted 42 seconds.
Ahmad Rifandi, an officer at the Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Post, said the eruption was in line with the mountain’s ongoing pattern of fluctuating activity. Marapi remains under Level II (Alert) status.
According to PVMBG, the volcano recorded nine eruptions and 125 emission events in April 2025 alone.
Authorities have advised residents, hikers, and tourists to stay at least three kilometres away from the centre of activity at Kawah Verbeek.
Those living in valleys and along rivers flowing from the volcano’s peak were urged to remain alert to cold lava flows, especially during the rainy season, and to keep masks on hand in case of ashfall.
In December 2023, a sudden eruption killed 24 climbers and injured many others. In May 2024, heavy rains combined with volcanic ash triggered deadly mudslides that left at least 50 people dead and caused widespread destruction in the surrounding area./.
