The PVMBG volcano observatory reported that an increased seismic activity has been registered.
During 12-25 July, a relatively high number of shallow (129) and deep (95) earthquakes, including an elevated seismic energy has been detected in the RSAM graph. However, no low-period/low-frequency earthquakes nor tremor vibrations have been identified yet so far, a typical sign for an impending eruption.
During the observation period, the surveillance camera observed a minor degassing activity from the crater area. Gas emissions rose 10-100 meters above the summit.
The potential hazards of the volcano represent sudden explosive/phreatic eruptions and/or pyroclastic flows due to lava dome gravitational/explosive collapse, effusive eruptions producing viscous lava flows. Another hazard poses significant pollution from volcanic gases (CO, CO2, H2S, N2 and CH4) that might be life-threatening if they exceed a certain threshold safety value. Therefore, people are advised to avoid the area of the volcano within a 3 km radius from the crater.
The alert level for the volcano remains at Level II (Waspada).
Awu contained a summit crater lake that was 1 km wide and 172 m deep in 1922, but was largely ejected during the 1966 eruption.
The eruption in 2004 prompted the evacuation of 27,000 people, but the eruption eventually did not escalate into a major event.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi volcano activity update 27 July 2023