The explosion generated bright ash column last night (image: Andi Volcanist)
The explosive eruption at the volcano persists.
A spectacular eruption took place from the summit crater early last night. At aboout 00:13 local time, a towering pillar of grey-to-black ash and glowing ejecta released from the vent could be seen via surveillance cameras in Agam. The intense explosion sent incandescent pyroclastic material up to a considerable height, consequently showering the upper edifice with lava bombs. The ash column reached 4,400 meters altitude and drifted west-southwest.
In order to mitigate the current risk, people are advised to avoid the area within a 4.5 km radius of the Verbeek Crater.
The alert level for the volcano remains at Level III (Siaga) since 11 January.
Spectacular rising ash plume from Marapi volcano last night (image: Andi Volcanist)