Padang (ANTARA) - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) recorded six consecutive eruptions of Mount Marapi in Agam and Tanah Datar Districts, West Sumatra, between midnight and 12 noon on Saturday.

"Apart from the six eruptions, in the same period, there were also 22 gusts recorded from Mount Marapi," Mount Marapi Volcano Observation Post officer Ahmad Rifandi stated here on Saturday.

The first eruption occurred at 00:03 a.m. local time, with an amplitude of five millimeters for 25 seconds. The second one occurred at 6:22 a.m. local time, with the height of the ash column observed to be around 300 meters.

The ash column is gray, with thick intensity that tends towards the west. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 4.6 millimeters and a duration of around 49 seconds.

The third eruption occurred at 7:05 a.m. local time, with an ash column of about 350 meters. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram, with a maximum amplitude of 4.4 millimeters for 44 seconds.

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The next eruption occurred at 8:21 a.m. local time, but the height of the ash column was not observed. The eruption was recorded on a seismogram, with a maximum amplitude of 6.1 millimeters and a duration of around 41 seconds.

The PVMBG recorded the eruption of Mount Marapi at 8:39 a.m. local time, with a maximum amplitude of 11.9 millimeters and a duration of around 35 seconds. The eruption also occurred at 9:23 a.m. local time, with the height of the ash column observed to be around 500 meters above the peak.

"The volcanic eruption is still fluctuating, and this could be because the system is open, so it is easier for eruptions and gusts to occur," he stated.

Rifandi remarked that although the number of volcanic eruptions was still fluctuating, the people were advised to not panic. Moreover, the government has established a safe zone for the community.

"If volcanic ash heads towards residential areas, we also urge the public to use masks and head coverings," he noted.

Related news: Marapi's volcanic material poses danger to residents: Military chief


Translator: Muhammad Zulfikar, Katriana
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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