The volcanic flow took place at 7.30 am local time as far as 2 km in the direction north of the mountain in parts of Jorong Limo Suku, Nagari Sungaipuar in Agam regency.
The volcanic ash flowing from the mountain 891 meters above sea level lasted for ten minutes only.
Malin, a resident of Nagari Sungaipuar, Agam, said the volcanic ash started to flow unexpectedly, because such activity is normally preceded by he flow of white smoke," he said.
He said since the status of the volcano was raised on August 3, 2011, the mountain almost everyday spew volcanic ash.
The Bukittinggi volcanic and geological disaster mitigation center (PVMBG) was still maintaining the mountain`s status at level II alertness.
"PVMBG still recommended level II alertness, and forbade people to climb more than 3 kilometers from the peak," an official of PVMBG Suparmo said.
Mt Marapi began raising its activities on August 3 last year, and the mountain almost everyday since then spew while smoke and volcanic ash.
As one of the active volcanoes in West Sumatra, on August 3, 2011 it spew sulfuric smelling volcanic ash reaching a height of up to 1,000 meters in a number of areas in the province, like Agam, Tanahdatar, Padangpariaman, and Padangpanjang.
The last time Mt Marapi erupted was in 2005. In a normally active condition, the volcano lying side by side with Mt Singgalang and Mt Tandikek, it has become a popular climbing destination from South Sumatra and other parts of the country.
In every change of year, the mountain was crowded with climbers, and was relatively easy to climb Mt Marapi from Kotobaru, Tanahdatar. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
