JAKARTA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Mount Ibu, located in Indonesia's North Maluku province, erupted earlier on Tuesday, prompting an aviation warning, the country's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center reported.
The biggest eruption occurred at 5:18 a.m. local time, sending a column of ash up to three km into the sky. The thick grey cloud drifted southeast and east of the volcano.
Residents living near the slopes of the mountain are prohibited from engaging in any activities within a four-km radius of the crater, which extends to 5.5 km in the northern areas. The center recommends that residents wear facemasks, sunglasses, and nose protectors when engaging in outdoor activities during volcanic ash fall.
Mount Ibu, situated in West Halmahera Regency, is currently at the second-highest alert level. To mitigate the risks posed by volcanic ash to aviation, an orange level of the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation has been issued, restricting flights at altitudes within five km of the volcano. Planes should also be prepared for potential ash clouds, which can disrupt air travel.
Standing at 1,325 meters high, Mount Ibu is one of Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes. ■