"Based on our observations since Sunday evening of (Feb 7) until this morning, Mount Raung spewed a volcanic ash column, reaching a height of around 2,000 meters from the top of the crater," Mukijo, head of the Mount Raung observation post, stated when contacted from here on Monday.
"The direction of the volcanic ash rain remains the same as yesterday. It is heading toward the east-southeast direction. We estimate the volcanic ash to reach Banyuwangi City, Giri, Kalipuro, and others, the same as yesterday. This morning, the observation post in Songgon Sub-district was blanketed by volcanic ash, but it is thin," he stated.
The mountain also experienced incessant microtremors recorded at an amplitude of 3 to 16 MM and remained dominant at 6 MM.
"We urge people to not conduct activities within a radius of two kilometers from the eruption center at the crater of Mount Raung, as it is dangerous," he stated.
Raung’s alert level of the volcano was raised to 2, or alert, by the authorities.
The Banyuwangi Airport was temporary closed on Sunday, as volcanic ash emitted by Mount Raung had spread until the airport area and threatened flight safety.
Several villages in Banyuwangi District were also covered by volcanic ash rains on Sunday.
