Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung
Authorities have responded to a rise in activity on Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait by placing the volcano on the second highest alert.
The Bandung-based Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center raised the alert status of Mount Anak Krakatau on Friday, making it the fourth volcano in the country to have its status raised in recent weeks.
The volcano was formed in the massive Krakatau eruption in 1883, which killed tens of thousands of people and was the largest explosion in recorded history.
Disaster center head Surono said that according to observations from the Kalianda volcano monitoring post in South Lampung and a monitoring post in Psauran, in Serang regency, the volcano had been spewing smoke since Oct. 23.
He said further observation confirmed there had been eruption.
"But there is no need to worry about Mount Anak Krakatau's activity. It has a short (eruption) sequence, which is around four years.
"Since it erupts so many times, it does not reserve enough energy to trigger a massive eruption. Fears of a tsunami can also be dismissed," Surono said in Bandung, West Java, on Saturday.
There are now three volcanoes around the country on the second highest alert status, as well as one on the highest alert.
Mount Soputan and Mount Karangetan, both in North Sulawesi, are on the same status as Anak Krakatau.
Mount Kelud in East Java is on top alert status, meaning an eruption is imminent.
The 305-meter high Mount Anak Krakatau is located in South Lampung regency in Lampung province.
Surono said authorities had looked at the data and determined there was no danger of an eruption by Anak Krakatau large enough to create a tsunami.
He said his office had recommended the Lampung and Banten administrations warn fishermen, residents and tourists to stay at least three kilometers from the volcano.
"We want them to follow the order without believing the rumors of a tsunami," Surono said.
Meanwhile, Mount Soputan in Tombatu district in South Minahasa regency remains on the second highest alert even though it is spewing smoke about 200 meters into the air.
"We are keeping Soputan on second highest alert status since the eruption is taking place far from people's homes and is not too dangerous. There is no need for people to panic, but they should listen to instructions from officials," Surono said.
The center has ordered people to stay at least six kilometers from the crater of the volcano, he said.
He said the center would evaluate Mount Kelud's status within the next three or four days.
"But the evaluation does not mean we will downgrade the volcano's status. Our team still work on the data to produce the best solution for everyone."
There are also nine volcanoes in the country on third highest alert status.
They are Mount Kerinci in Jambi province; Mount Gamkonora on Halmahera Island in Maluku; Mount Dukono and Mount Ibu in North Maku; Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta; Mount Semeru in East Java; Mount Talang in Solok regency, West Sumatra; Mount Lokon in North Sulawesi; and Mount Papandayan in Garut, West Java.
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