Still Alert, PVMBG Recorded 66 Local Earthquakes On Dieng Volcano During The Day

The condition of the Weigh Crater in Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, Tuesday (17/1/2023) morning was monitored through the CCTV camera of the Dieng Volcano Observation Post (PGA). PHOTO ANTARA/HO-Pos PGA Dieng

The Dieng Volcano Observation Post (PGA) Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) stated that the activity of Mount Dieng or Dieng is still fluctuating.

Pos PGA Dieng officer, Aziz Yuliawan, said the mountains in the Banjarnegara, Wonosobo, and Wonosobo regencies, Central Java (Central Java) areas experienced 66 local tectonic earthquakes on Monday, January 16.

"Based on observations we carried out throughout Monday (January 16), 00.00-24.00 WIB, meteorologically it was observed that the weather conditions were sunny, cloudy, and rainy," he said Tuesday, January 17, as reported by Antara.

Aziz explained that dozens of local earthquakes in one day on Mount Dieng had an amplitude of 5.3-42.7 millimeters, a delay time (S-P) of 0.56-18.4 seconds, and a duration of 5.92-57.03 seconds.

While the distant tectonic earthquake was recorded once with an amplitude of 10.7 millimeters, the S-P was not read, and a duration of 65.5 seconds.

In addition, he said, the wind was blowing weakly to the south and the air temperature was around 12-19 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, from visual observations, he continued, the mountain was clearly visible to the fog that covered a third of the mountain or 0-I fog.

"Weak pressure crater smoke was observed to be white with a thin, medium, to thick intensity and 10-50 meters high above the crater peak," he said.

According to him, the visuals of the Weigh Crater on Monday, January 16, were clearly visible, so white crater smoke was observed with thin intensity, weak pressure, smoke height of approximately 10 meters from the bottom of the crater.

"In the measurement of the concentration of CO2 gas in Sikendang Crater, it was recorded at least 0.121 percent volume and a maximum of 0.13 percent volume and an average of 0.13 percent volume, while in Weigh Crater it was recorded at least 0.395 percent volume and a maximum of 0.9 percent volume and an average of 0.558 percent volume," he said.

Meanwhile, in the Sileri Crater temperature measurement, in Banjarnegara Regency, he said, it was recorded at least 67.9 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 68.7 degrees Celsius and an average of 68.3 degrees Celsius, while the Sileri Crater temperature was recorded at least 22.7 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 23.4 degrees Celsius and an average of 22.9 degrees Celsius.

He said that based on the results of these observations, Mount Dieng is still on alert status, so PVMBG recommends that people and tourists not approach Sileri Crater at a distance of 1 kilometer from the crater's lips.

"The community is also recommended not to approach the southwest, south, and southeast of the Weigh Crater within 500 meters and be vigilant if they carry out ground excavations around the Weigh Crater to avoid the flow of CO2 gas which is very dangerous for life," he said.

In addition, the public and tourists should not enter the craters in the Dieng Complex which could potentially cause a phreatic eruption in the form of mud bursts or material ejections, as well as craters with high and harmful concentrations of volcanic gas for life, said Aziz Yuliawan.