Mount Dukono in Indonesia’s North Maluku province remains one of the world’s most active volcanoes, having been in a near-constant state of eruption for decades. Recent footage highlighting hikers narrowly escaping a sudden explosion has brought renewed attention to the persistent dangers faced by local communities. Despite the ongoing threat of volcanic ash and falling debris, thousands of residents continue to live on the mountain’s slopes, drawn by fertile soil and ancestral ties. Balancing the economic benefits of agriculture with the unpredictable nature of the volcano remains a daily challenge for both the population and monitoring authorities.
- Mount Dukono has been erupting almost continuously since 1933, making it one of the most active volcanic systems in Indonesia.
- A recent eruption nearly struck a group of unauthorized hikers, who were filmed fleeing from falling “volcanic bombs” and thick ash clouds near the crater.
- Authorities maintain a permanent exclusion zone around the summit, but monitoring and preventing access to the peak remains a significant logistical challenge.
- Persistent volcanic ash poses serious health risks to nearby residents and frequently damages local crops, particularly coconut trees used for copra production.
- Local communities continue to reside near the volcano due to the high fertility of the volcanic soil and deep-rooted cultural and familial connections to the land.
- Volcanologists utilize seismic sensors and visual data to track activity, though the frequency of eruptions makes the area a permanent high-risk zone.
Based in Singapore, CNA (Channel News Asia) covers global developments with an Asian perspective, with correspondents based in major cities across Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, as well as in New York, Washington D.C. and London.
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