Mount Ibu, a volcano located on Indonesia's eastern island of Halmahera, erupted on Saturday, sending a towering ash cloud five kilometers (three miles) high into the sky, according to the country's volcanology agency (PVMBG). The eruption, which occurred at 11:03 a.m. local time (0203 GMT), follows a series of volcanic activities observed since April, prompting the evacuation of seven nearby villages in May.

"The ash column is grey with thick intensity and leaning towards the southwest," stated the PVMBG, urging residents and tourists to maintain a distance of at least seven kilometers (about 4.3 miles) from the active crater. Video footage shared by the agency captured the volcano spewing ash, which grew denser before eventually dissipating.

Indonesia's disaster management agency, BNPB, has warned local authorities to prepare for secondary disasters such as flash floods and cold lava flows. The region is expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, although the exact timing was not specified by the nation’s meteorology agency.

"If there is a buildup of material left over from the eruption, it should be cleaned up immediately because it is dangerous. If there is heavy rain, flash floods could occur, cause damage and many fatalities," said Suharyanto, the BNPB chief, in a statement on Friday.

Mount Ibu has been on PVMBG's highest alert level since May 16. This recent activity follows a series of eruptions from other volcanoes across Indonesia, a country situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and home to 127 active volcanoes. Flash floods and cold lava flow from Mount Marapi, one of the most active volcanoes in West Sumatra province, claimed at least 67 lives with 20 people still missing following torrential rain on May 11.

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