Mount Tangkuban Parahu in Bandung, West Java, the crater of which is a popular tourist spot, erupted on Friday (July 26) afternoon, with authorities prohibiting tourists from approaching the area.
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) said the volcanic ash soared 200m up from the peak of the mountain, which is about 2,284m above sea level.
PVMBG head Kasbani said the grey thick volcanic ash spread to the south and north east.
“The eruption was recorded on the seismogram to have a maximum amplitude of 38mm with a duration of about five minutes and 30 seconds,” he said in a statement, adding that the volcano was now classed as Level I status, or normal.
The authorities had warned tourists not to approach the crater, following an increase in volcanic activities, said Karbani, adding that they were also prohibited from spending the night in the Mount Tangkuban Parahu tourism complex.
