Heightened activity at Ijen volcano, Alert Level raised to 2, Indonesia
Image credit: PVMBG
Increased seismic activity was recorded at the Ijen volcano in Indonesia between January 1 and July 12, 2024. On July 12, a significant energy increase was observed along with a rise in continuous tremor amplitude, prompting authorities to increase the Alert Level from 1 to 2.
Between January 1 and July 12, 2024, elevated seismic activity was recorded at Ijen volcano in Indonesia. During this period, approximately 1 100 volcano-tectonic earthquakes and 192 volcanic tremors with a maximum amplitude range of 0.5 – 7 mm, predominantly 3 mm, were detected.
The increased activity is often indicated by the crater lake’s water changing color from green to whitish-green due to sediment rising from strong gas pressure. The water temperature also increases with rising gas pressure from the lake’s bottom. Gas bubbles usually appear on the lake’s surface during heightened activity.
The increased activity in the crater can lead to “gas outbursts” and eruptions, primarily releasing CO2, which, being denser than air, flows along the valleys, as observed in March 2018.
Currently, the crater water color remains normal (turquoise green), with no visible gas bubbles or temperature changes, maintaining a normal temperature of 34 °C (93 °F).
From June 1 to July 12, 2024, shallow and deep earthquakes decreased, while other earthquakes fluctuated normally.
RSAM recordings since January 1, 2023, show a slightly increasing fluctuating pattern. The seismic energy has generally fluctuated and slowly increased since 2023. However, on July 12, 2024, a significant energy increase was observed along with a rise in continuous tremor amplitude.
Although earthquakes generally fluctuated normally, tremor recordings increased with amplitudes of 5 – 25 mm from 17:00 to 21:00 local time on July 12, 2024. Since 21:10 local time, tremor amplitudes exceeded 46 mm.
Potential hazards from the heightened activity at the volcano currently include high concentrations of volcanic gases around the crater due to solfatar activity and the diffusion of gases from the crater’s interior to the surface, and phreatic eruptions, which can occur without prior visual or seismic warnings.
Based on the evaluation up to July 12, the activity level of the volcano has been raised from Level I (Normal) to Level II (Waspada), effective from July 12, at 22:00 local time.
The community, visitors, tourists, and miners are advised not to approach the crater’s edge, descend to the crater’s bottom, or stay overnight within a 1.5 km (0.93 miles) radius of the Ijen Crater.
References:
1 PENINGKATAN TINGKAT AKTIVITAS G. IJEN DARI LEVEL I (NORMAL) MENJADI LEVEL II (WASPADA) – PVMBG – July 13, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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