17 Times Mount Merapi Launches Incandescent Lava Falls

YOGYAKARTA - The Center for Research and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG) recorded 17 lava avalanches from Mount Merapi during the observation period today.

Head of BPPTKG Hanik Humaida said the first 12 incandescent lava avalanches were recorded during the observation period from 00.00 to 06.00 WIB with a maximum sliding distance of 1,800 meters to the southwest.

Reported by Antara, Thursday, March 31, the next five lava avalanches were observed during observations at 06.00 to 12.00 WIB to the southwest with a maximum sliding distance of 1,000 meters.

Based on the latest observation data, BPPTKG recorded the volume of the southwest lava dome of Merapi at 1,609,000 cubic meters and the middle dome of 2,582,000 cubic meters.

Meanwhile, the deformation of Mount Merapi, which was monitored using "electronic distance measurement (EDM)" on March 30, 2022, showed a distance shortening rate of 0.2 cm per day.

Until now BPPTKG still maintains the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Alert.

Lava flows and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can impact areas within the south-southwest sector which include the Boyong River (a maximum of five km) and the Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng Rivers (a maximum of seven km).

In addition, lava flows and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can impact areas in the southeastern sector which include the Woro River (a maximum of three km) and the Gendol River (a distance of five km).

If the volcano experiences an explosive eruption, then the ejection of volcanic material can reach an area within a radius of three kilometers from the top of the mountain.