Bandung -- Some 17 of the 18 volcanoes in Indonesia are declared to be on alert status (level II), based on the result of monitoring by the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) of the Geological Agency.

"These volcanoes have been declared on alert status due to their volcanic activities, but the Ibu volcano in West Halmahera only on third level alert status," said the Bandung PVMBG chief Dr. Surono, here Friday.

The Ibu volcano is still on third alert status declared on August 5, 2009.

In mid February 2010, PVMBG has raised the alert status of Mount Talang in Sumatra and Mount Karangetang in Sulawesi from standby (level III) to alert status (level II).

The Mount Bromo in East Java has been declared on alert status on Sept. 18, 2006.

Other intensively monitored volcanoes are Gunung Batur, Kaba, Anak Krakatoa, Semeru, Slamet, Sangeang Api, Rinjani Rokatenda, Soputan, Dukono, Gamalama, Papandayan, Lokon and Kerinci volcanoes.

Despite the alert status, these mountains are still safe to be visited as long as the safety signs in tourism sites are closely heeded.

The PVMBG chief also reminded that the community and visitors not to get near to the crater within a radius of one kilometer due to it the dangerous toxic gas emissions.

.