Mount Ruang, a volcano in Indonesia, erupted on Tuesday, sending fiery lava and ash thousands of feet into the night sky and leading to the evacuation of hundreds of people in the North Sulawesi province. The eruption occurred at around 7:19 p.m. local time, with over 800 people in nearby villages being displaced. Many of those affected sought shelter in churches and community centers, with supplies such as mats, blankets, cleaning materials, and tents being urgently needed. Authorities are considering opening more shelters to accommodate those fleeing the volcano.
Indonesia is located on the Ring of Fire, a volatile region where tectonic plates collide beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Mount Ruang is a stratovolcano, characterized by its steep, conical shape formed by layers of lava, rock fragments, ash, and other materials from past explosive eruptions. The volcano is situated in an area with many active volcanoes, making eruptions a common occurrence. The last major eruption of Mount Ruang was in 2002, when it spewed a column of lava and ash up to 17 miles high.
Dr. Tracy K.P. Gregg, a geology department chair at the University at Buffalo, explained that Mount Ruang’s 2002 eruption was considered a “large” event on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, a scale used to measure the strength of volcanic eruptions based on factors such as duration, ash volume, and plume height. While the current eruption is not as violent as the 2002 event, it is still not fully assessed as it continues. Prior to the eruption, more than 300 volcanic earthquakes were detected over a period of at least two weeks, though the exact cause of the eruption remains unclear.
Indonesia has experienced several volcanic eruptions in recent years. In December 2023, 11 hikers were found dead on Mount Marapi in Sumatra after an eruption that sent an ash column nearly 10,000 feet high. The region is prone to volcanic activity due to its location along the Ring of Fire, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and preparedness for potential eruptions. As authorities work to address the immediate impacts of the Mount Ruang eruption, efforts are underway to support those affected and assess the situation to determine next steps in managing the aftermath of this volcanic event.
