Two separate explosions occurred at Gamalama volcano on Ternate Island yesterday at 13.22 and 14.15 local time. The eruption followed an increase in seismic activity and triggered PVMBG to raise the alert level to 3 (out of 4) "Siaga". According to the newspaper Liputan6 people have not heard the explosion, but only saw an ash plume rise. ...more
The new activity comes less than a year after the volcano's previous eruption, when lahars (mud flows) had claimed several victims. Some people were panicking, but the situation remained otherwise calm in Ternate. The city has received some ash fall which led many shops to close, and some of the inhabitants started to wear face masks. [less]
CVGHM lowered the Alert Level for Gamalama from 3 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 24 January based on visual observations of white plumes rising as high as 100 m above the crater and a decrease in seismicity since the last eruption on 23 December 2011. ...more
At least 3 people were killed by mud flows. 1,000-2,600 more were evacuated from several villages on 27-28 December, when heavy rainfall turned fresh ash deposits into devastating mud flows. Most damage was in the villages of Tubo and Tofure and along the Togorara and Marikurubu rivers.
Eruptions are continuing at Gamalana volcano, consisting of moderate to strong ash explosions, as observed by our correspondant on location. Volcanologist Mr Kristianto, head/coordinator of all observatory post in eastern Indonesia, reports 4 explosions on 4 December and numerous volcanic earthquakes. The daily status update reads: ...more
- Tremors occuring continuously with amplitudes of maximal 0,5 - 2 mm ( recorded on the seismograph) - Volcanic earthquake : 52 times [less]
Gamalana volcano on the evening of 11 Dec (photo: Andi)
Mount Gamalama volcano in Indonesia's remote North Maluku province erupted at 23:00 local time on Sunday (1400 GMT), according to local news. The eruption produced small amounts of ash, causing local electrical blackouts and ash fall in the provincial capital city of Ternate. ...more
There are reports of damage or fatalities. According to the news, some people from nearby villages have evacuated to safer locations, while a number remained at their homes. No ash seems to be visible on satellite imaginary: the VAAC Darwin has not issued any advisories, suggesting that the eruption is small. On the other hand, ash is difficult to detect in tropical areas with heavy cloud cover. [less]
