Lava Dome Volume In Merapi Crater Reaches 3.2 Million Cubic Meters

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YOGYAKARTA - The lava dome in the center of the crater of Mount Merapi's summit continues to grow with an estimated volume of 3,228 cubic meters, according to the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG).

Head of BPPTKG, Hanik Humaida explained that the volume of the lava dome was measured based on the results of morphological analysis of aerial photos taken from Keningar, Ngepos, and Babadan2 camera stations on February 20, 2022.

"Analysis of drone data shows that there are morphological changes in the southwest and center of the crater due to extrusion activity in the form of avalanches and the growth of the lava dome," he said, quoted by Antara, Friday, February 25.

The volume of the lava dome in the middle of the crater of the peak of Merapi is greater than the volume of the lava dome on the southwest side of the mountain which reaches 1,578,000 cubic meters.

Compared to the BPPTKG report for the period 11-17 February 2022, the volume of Merapi's central lava dome is still 3,007,000 cubic meters and the southwest dome is recorded at 1,670,000 cubic meters.

Based on observations this week, the active volcano was observed once releasing hot clouds of avalanches to the southwest with a sliding distance of 1,800 meters.

In addition, 173 lava avalanches were observed in a dominant southwest direction to the Bebeng River with a maximum sliding distance of 2,000 meters. BPPTKG still maintains the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Standby.

The current potential hazards are lava avalanches and hot clouds in the south-southwest sector covering the Boyong River for a maximum of 5 km, and the Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng rivers for a maximum of 7 km.

Meanwhile, the southeast sector covers the Woro River for a maximum of 3 km and the Gendol River for a maximum of 5 km.

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