PVMBG Records Increased Volcanic Activities Of Mount Slamet

JAKARTA - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported an increase in volcanic activity on Mount Slamet located in Central Java.

Head of PVMBG Hendra Gunawan said the gust earthquake dominated indicating fluid movement activity around the surface.

"The fourth week of September to October 1, 2023, there was an increase in the number of local tectonic earthquakes followed by an increase in the amplitude of tremors which indicated an increase in fractures when fluid rose to the surface," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, October 2.

Based on the monitoring of the deformation carried out by PVMBG using atiltmeter at the Cilik Station which is at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level (masl), there has been inflation or an increase in pressure on the radial axis by 30 microradians since July 2023.

However, the titmeter of the Bambangan Station at an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level still does not show any changes to the radial axis.

Monitoring of deformations by using an electronic distance measurement (EDM) showing inflation detection at the Little Station.

However, Buncis Station tends to deflate or decrease in pressure and Jurangmangu Station which is located under the Cilik station does not show a significant deformation pattern.

"It is estimated that the pressure has passed Buncis and Jurangmangu stations and is heading to the Little Station," said Hendra.

The potential danger of increasing pressure and increasing tremors is an increase in crater smoke gusts as well as the potential for sudden phreatic eruptions without being preceded by a clear precursor.

However, the government stated that the level of activity of Mount Slamet was still at level I or normal from October 9, 2020, until today.

Hendra then asked the public not to be provoked by irresponsible news regarding the activities of Mount Slamet and to follow directions from authorized agencies.

In 2023, Mount Slamet's volcanic activity is generally dominated by crater smoke gusts with a height of 25 to 300 meters from above the peak. The gust earthquake was recorded with an average of 168 times per day.

Mount Slamet is administratively located in five districts in Central Java, namely Pemalang Regency, Banyumas Regency, Brebes Regency, Tegal Regency, and Purbalingga Regency.

The volcano, which has a peak height of 3,432 meters above sea level, is monitored visually and instrumentally from the Volcano Observation Post (PPGA) located in Gambuhan Village, Gajah Nguling, Pulosari District, Pemalang Regency, Central Java.