TOURISM - JAKARTA. Mount Tangkuban Parahu in Bandung, West Java, the crater of which is a popular tourist spot, erupted at 3:48 p.m. on Friday, with authorities prohibiting tourists from approaching the area.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) said the volcanic ash soared 200 meters up from the peak of the mountain, which is about 2,284 m 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 38 milimeters 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.
He also warned locals, traders and employees of the Mount Tangkuban Parahu tourism complex to stay alert for any possible increase in volcanic activities.
“A phreatic eruption could happen at any time without any clear volcanic signals,” he explained.
