BrainBuzz Academy

Why in the News?
On January 11, 2025, Mount Ibu in North Maluku, Indonesia, erupted, releasing ash clouds up to 4,000 meters high and ejecting lava up to two kilometers from its crater. Authorities have issued warnings, setting a four-kilometer exclusion zone and recommending safety measures for residents.
Key Takeaways:
Eruption Details:
Date and Time: January 11, 2025, at 7:35 PM local time.
Characteristics: Ash plume reached 4,000 meters above the summit, with glowing lava ejected two kilometers from the crater.
Duration: Approximately three minutes and five seconds.
Safety Measures:
A four-kilometer exclusion zone and a 5.5-kilometer sector to the north of the crater have been established.
Residents are advised to wear masks and protective eyewear to prevent ash inhalation and eye irritation.
Historical Context:
Mount Ibu has shown fluctuating volcanic activity since June 2024, with up to 70 eruptions reported on some days.
The volcano is currently at Volcanic Alert Level III (“Alert”), indicating ongoing activity.
Geological and Aviation Significance:
Indonesia, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” has 127 active volcanoes.
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has issued an orange-level Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA), advising caution for air travel due to volcanic ash risks.
Public Safety Recommendations:
Avoid danger zones within the exclusion radius.
Stay updated with information from local authorities and PVMBG.
Follow health precautions such as wearing masks and eyewear to mitigate ash-related health risks.

About Mount Ibu:
Active Stratovolcano: Mount Ibu is an active stratovolcano located on Halmahera Island, Indonesia.
Frequent Eruptions: It's one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, known for its frequent eruptions.
Height: Rises to an elevation of 1,377 meters (4,518 feet) above sea level.
Summit Features: Truncated summit with nested craters.
Ring of Fire: Situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of high volcanic and seismic activity.
Recent Activity: Experienced significant eruptions in recent years, including 2023 and 2024.
Hazards: Ash plumes, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows pose potential hazards to nearby communities.
Monitoring: Closely monitored by the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI) to assess volcanic activity and issue warnings.

Why in the News?
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan on January 13, 2025, with its epicenter in the Hyuga-Nada Sea, off Miyazaki Prefecture. Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami advisory, forecasting waves up to one meter. The advisory was later lifted, and no major damages were reported.
Key Takeaways
Earthquake Details:
Magnitude: 6.9
Location: Hyuga-Nada Sea, off Miyazaki Prefecture.
Depth: 30 kilometers.
Tsunami Advisory:
Issued for Miyazaki and Kochi Prefectures, warning of waves up to 1 meter.
A small tsunami measuring 20 centimeters was detected at Miyazaki Port within 30 minutes of the earthquake.
The advisory was later lifted without significant incidents.
Impact and Response:
A man in Kyushu sustained minor injuries after falling down stairs.
Train services in Miyazaki Station were temporarily halted, affecting passengers.
Residents were advised to remain cautious of aftershocks, landslides, and falling objects.
Historical Context
Ring of Fire:
Japan is located in the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Nankai Trough:
A significant seismic zone in the southwest Pacific coast where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts under the Eurasian Plate.
Historically causes megaquakes every 100–150 years.
In August 2024, Japan issued an advisory on the heightened risk of a Nankai Trough megaquake following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
The government predicts a 70–80% chance of a magnitude 8–9 earthquake occurring along this trough in the next 30 years.

The Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated every year on January 14 across India to pay respects to the armed forces veterans for their selfless duty and sacrifices and to reinforce solidarity towards the next of kin of the Bravehearts.
The first Armed Forces Veterans Day was organised on January 14, 2017, as a pan-India event under the purview of the Ministry of Defence. The aim was to salute the unwavering dedication and sacrifices of tri-services veterans while standing in solidarity with their families.
January 14 was chosen to be celebrated as Veterans’ Day as it was on this day in 1953 when Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army post-independence, retired after glorious service to the nation and became a veteran.