Mount Merapi Erupts, Volcano-Pyroclastic Flow Up To 1.6 Kilometers

Hot clouds of avalanche of Mount Merapi can be seen from Kaliurang, Sleman, DI Yogyakarta, Wednesday (27/1/2021) / ANTARA PHOTO

JAKARTA - The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) recorded volcano-pyroclastic flow up to 1.6 kilometers after the eruption of Mount Merapi.

BPPTKG's Mount Merapi observer officer Heru Suparwaka stated that volcano-pyroclastic flow was observed 21 times.

"volcano-pyroclastic flows are 21 times, with a maximum amplitude of 600 mm with a duration of 197 seconds. The estimated maximum distance is 1600 meters", Heru said in a written statement, Wednesday, January 27.

According to him, volcano-pyroclastic flows were swept away by strong winds leading upstream to Kali Krasak and Boyong. The fallout was observed four times with a maximum sliding distance of 800 meters.

The weather is currently cloudy with winds blowing to the east and southeast. The temperature is 20 to 26 degrees Celsius.

"Currently, the level of activity of Mount Merapi is at level III (Alert)", he said.

BPPTKG asked the Sleman Regency, Magelang Regency, Boyolali Regency, and Klaten Regency to take mitigation efforts in facing the danger of the current eruption of Mount Merapi.