Three Volcanoes in Indonesia Still Level III
17 Jan 2020 13:20 WIB
Foto : Three Volcanoes in Indonesia Still Level III ()
JAKARTA – Three active volcanoes in Indonesia are still in level III or ‘Advisory.’ The third volcanoes are Karangetang Volcano in North Sulawesi, Sinabung Volcano in North Sumatera and Agung Volcano in Bali. Volcanology authority, PVMBG, has given recommendations to local governments related with potential threats of volcanic eruption of the volcanoes.
To address the potential hazards of volcanic eruption, the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) appeals for public who is around the volcanoes to keep monitoring information, in particular from the related authority, namely volcanological survey of Indonesia (PVMBG) or the local disaster management agency in the respected provinces.
If you look at the recommendations given by PVMBG, we can see that each volcano has a different threat character. For example, Mount Karangetang, PVMBG recommends people or visitors not to do activities in the forecast of hazard zone, which is 2.5 km from the peak of the crater Dua (North Crater) and Main Crater (south) and the sectoral expansion area from the Crater Dua to the Northwest - north as far as 4 km, and from the main crater as far as 3 km to the west.
Meanwhile, PVMB recommendations given to local governments related to Sinabung Volcano in North Sumatera, namely the community and visitors not to carry out activities in villages that have been relocated, as well as locations within a radius of 3 km from the crater of Sinabung, as well as a sectoral radius 5 km for the south-east sector, and 4 km for the east-north sector.
You as a visitor might have difficulties if you are in a location around the volcano despite knowing the information related to the above recommendations. This is caused spatially sometimes we do not know the exact location where we are, how far from the hazard zones recommended by the official authority. Therefore, the most important thing for the community or visitors to always coordinate when carrying out activities around the volcano.
Of course we do not want a tragedy like what happened in New Zealand, namely the eruption of the White Island volcano which suddenly erupted without warning and caused casualties.
For us in Indonesia, the potential hazard of volcanic eruptions threatens around 1.2 million populations in 75 regencies/municipalities. Preparedness is always a foundation for every individual to avoid the threat of the hazard. On the other hand, learning from handling volcanic eruptions, Indonesia has many good practices and lessons learned. Like the context of the Kelud Volcano eruption in 2014, tens of thousands of residents managed to survive the independent evacuation after the explosive eruption at that time. We also learn how a community called Pasebaya in Karangasem Regency uses a handheld transceiver or HT to educate residents around Agung Volcano. Or, the use of android and ios based InaRISK to find out the potential risks of volcanic eruption.
Indonesia has 127 active volcanoes, of which there are no level IV or 'warning' volcanoes. This level is the highest status related to addressing the potential threat of volcanic eruptions.
Agus Wibowo
Head of Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre BNPB
Admin
