Mount Marapi erupts, ash drift forces three-kilometre exclusion zone
Mount Marapi in West Sumatra erupted on October 1, 2026, triggering a seismic tremor and sending ash toward nearby districts, while authorities kept the volcano at Level II watch.
Mount Marapi erupted on the morning of October 1, 2026, with seismic instruments detecting a 27-second tremor of 19.5 mm amplitude, even though clouds prevented visual confirmation of an ash plume. The ash plume drifted southward, affecting Padang Panjang City and Tanah Datar Regency. The volcano remains at Level II (Watch) status, and a three-kilometre exclusion zone around the Verbeek Crater has been enforced for the public, climbers and tourists.
Authorities urged nearby residents to wear protective masks, safeguard clean water supplies, and regularly remove ash from roofs to avoid structural damage. They also warned of potential lahar flows in valleys and river channels, especially during rainfall, and asked the public to follow official updates and avoid spreading unverified information.
Why it matters
The eruption poses health, safety and infrastructure risks for communities around Mount Maravi.
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