Mount Ruang Erupts Again in Indonesia, Triggering Massive Pyroclastic Flow and 20,000-Foot Ash Plume

Mount Ruang, located on the island of Sangihe in Indonesia, erupted twice in the early hours of Tuesday, April 30, 2024, generating a massive pyroclastic flow and an ash plume that reached over 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) high. The eruption prompted authorities to raise the alert level to its highest and evacuate people living within a 6-km radius of the volcano.

The first eruption occurred at 2:15 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning, followed by a second, even more powerful one at 8:50 a.m. The eruption produced a pyroclastic flow that ravaged the volcano's flanks and reached the sea. A dense, black ash plume rose into the atmosphere, darkening the sky and causing ash to fall on nearby communities.

The eruption has led to the closure of Manado airport, which is located about 100 km from the volcano. Authorities have warned that ashfall could pose a hazard to air navigation and have advised residents to stay indoors and wear masks if they must go outside.

Mount Ruang is an active stratovolcano that has erupted several times in recent years. The last significant eruption occurred in 2022, when it killed one person and forced the evacuation of thousands of others.

Volcanic eruptions can be very dangerous events, but they can also be an important part of the Earth's formation process. Volcanoes release ash and gas into the atmosphere that can affect the climate, and they can also create new land.

It is important for communities that live near volcanoes to be prepared for eruptions. Authorities should have evacuation plans in place, and residents should be aware of the risks and how to stay safe in the event of an eruption.