Indonesia's Ruang Volcano Erupts, Prompting Evacuation of Over 12,000 Amid Tsunami Warnings

The Ruang volcano on Indonesia's Tagulandang island erupted on Tuesday, spewing ash and lava up to 5 kilometers into the sky. The eruption prompted authorities to raise the alert status to the highest level and evacuate over 12,000 residents from the surrounding area amid warnings of a potential tsunami.

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) urged residents within a 7-kilometer radius of the volcano to evacuate immediately due to the risk of explosive eruptions, incandescent rock ejections, hot clouds, and tsunamis caused by volcanic material collapsing into the sea. All 843 residents of Ruang island, where the volcano is located, have been moved to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province. Residents of nearby Tagulandang island are being relocated to Siau island.

Transport authorities have extended the shutdown of Manado's Sam Ratulangi airport until Thursday, and some flights to and from Malaysia's Borneo have been affected by the eruption. The airport closure was implemented for safety reasons due to the possible spread of volcanic ash.

Why this matters: Indonesia, located in the seismically active 'Pacific Ring of Fire' region, is prone to frequent volcanic eruptions and the risk of tsunamis. The evacuation of over 12,000 residents highlights the significant impact and potential dangers posed by the Ruang volcano's eruption, as authorities work to ensure the safety of the population in the affected areas.

The eruption, which followed a series of earlier eruptions this month, caused damage to some homes and corresponded with a spike in seismic activity and deep volcanic earthquakes. "The eruption column reached 5 kilometers high, and authorities urged any remaining residents within a 7 km radius to evacuate immediately due to the risk of further explosive eruptions," said a PVMBG spokesperson.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency has set up seven emergency posts to accommodate the evacuees, who were transported by ships provided by various government agencies. The eruption has damaged at least 3,614 houses, two churches, and school buildings within a radius of 7 kilometers from the active crater. Rescue and military ships have been dispatched to assist with the evacuation efforts, moving thousands of residents to safer locations.

Key Takeaways

• Ruang volcano in Indonesia erupted, spewing ash and lava up to 5 km high.
• Over 12,000 residents evacuated due to risk of explosive eruptions, lava, and tsunamis.
• Manado airport shut down, some flights to/from Malaysia affected by volcanic ash.
• Indonesia prone to volcanic eruptions and tsunamis due to location in 'Ring of Fire'.
• Eruption damaged homes, churches, and schools within 7 km of the active crater.