What is the name and location of the volcanic eruption?

On Wednesday night, April 17, 2024, a volcanic eruption occurred at Mount Ruang, Indonesia spewing ash, lava, and fire 70,000 feet into the sky (1).

The volcano erupted again on April 30, leading to the evacuation of 12,000 people (2).

The volcano is located on Ruang Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Ruang Island is part of the Sangihe Islands archipelago, situated approximately 60 miles north-northeast of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province. The volcano has also triggered a warning from authorities that a tsunami may result due to the volcano’s partial collapse.

Which cities or areas are affected by the volcanic eruption?

The cities and areas directly affected by the volcanic eruption include Laingpatehi village and Sitaro, both located in North Sulawesi province, Indonesia.

Nearby regions such as Manado and Tagulandang Island may also experience impacts from the eruption.

Air quality could be impacted for great distances in the following days, including in the province’s capital city, Manado. The airport at Manado was shut down due to ash (3).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Evacuation orders have been issued in response to the volcanic eruption. Hundreds of villagers have been evacuated from the vicinity of Mount Ruang, with authorities widening the evacuation zone as the eruption continues (4).

Residents and tourists are urged to remain at least 4 kilometers away from the volcano, and evacuation centers have been set up to accommodate those displaced by the eruption.

Additionally, a tsunami alert has been issued due to concerns about the potential collapse of Mount Ruang into the sea, further necessitating evacuation measures for coastal areas.

How can I protect myself from volcanic smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from a volcanic eruption.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter volcanic smoke
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.