Mount Marapi Remains at Caution Level Following Brief February Eruption

Mount Marapi, a complex stratovolcano in West Sumatra, Indonesia, experienced a brief eruption on the morning of Thursday, February 5, 2026. The seismic event occurred at 11:27 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) and lasted approximately 25 seconds, registering a maximum amplitude of 25.9 millimeters on monitoring equipment. Cloud cover obscured the peak of the 2,891-meter mountain, preventing authorities from accurately measuring the height of the resulting ash column.

In response to the activity, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) confirmed that Mount Marapi retains Alert Level II status, designated as 'Waspada' (Caution) on the national four-tier scale. This status maintains the standing prohibition against any entry or activity within a 3-kilometer radius surrounding the Kawah Verbeek crater, the volcano's active center. Alert Level II signifies moderate unrest where increased activity is possible, while daily life outside the immediate danger perimeter can generally continue.

The PVMBG issued a critical advisory to communities near downstream river valleys, urging heightened vigilance for cold lava floods, known as lahar, due to ongoing rainy season conditions in West Sumatra. This hazard is a significant concern in the region, where rainwater can mobilize accumulated volcanic debris on the slopes of active volcanoes like Marapi, Tandikat, Talang, and Kerinci. Historical data underscores this risk, including a rain-triggered lahar event on May 11, 2024, which resulted in over 60 fatalities.

Seismic monitoring data recorded on February 5, 2026, indicated underlying unrest supporting the PVMBG's decision to maintain the current alert level. The period registered one emission earthquake, one shallow volcanic earthquake, and two deep volcanic earthquakes, suggesting that magma remains relatively close to the surface area. The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) forecast that West Sumatra will continue to experience rainfall ranging from low to high categories through February 2026, reinforcing the immediate relevance of the lahar warning.

Authorities are actively engaged in monitoring and mitigation, including promoting community-based early warning systems for flash floods. The PVMBG's protocol for Level II includes advising residents near river systems originating from the mountain to remain alert for potential mudflows, particularly when heavy rainfall is forecasted. Mount Marapi's elevation of 2,891 meters establishes it as the most active volcano in Sumatra, necessitating continuous oversight for effective disaster management.