PVMBG: Mount Merapi Status Alert, Anak Krakatau Level Alert

Mount Merapi (PHOTO BETWEEN/Doc)

The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that the status of Mount Merapi and Mount Marapi was at level II or Alert and Mount Anak Krakatau at 09.53 WIB at level III or Alert.

"The volcanic activity of Mount Merapi (2,968 mdpl) in Central Java-DIY visually observed 15 lava avalanches to the southwest (Kali Bebeng) with a maximum sliding distance of 1,600 meters and 4 lava avalanches to the south (Kali Boyong) with a maximum sliding distance of 1,000 meters," said Head of PVMBG of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Hendra Gunawan as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 6.

Hendra explained that the potential hazards that arise today are in the form of lava avalanches and hot clouds in the south-southwest sector covering the Boyong River as far as a maximum of 5 km, as well as the Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng rivers as far as a maximum of 7 km.

In the Southeast sector, including the Woro River is a maximum of 3 km and the Gendol River is 5 km. Meanwhile, the ejection of volcanic material in the event of an explosive eruption can reach a radius of 3 km from the summit.

"People should not carry out any activities in these potential hazard areas and anticipate disturbances caused by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi and be aware of the dangers of lahars, especially when it rains around the mountain," he explained.

For the development of the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, continued Hendra, based on monitoring by officers of the Mount Anak Krakatau Observation Post as of Wednesday at 09.53 WIB, an ash column height of approximately 500 m above the peak (657 m above sea level) was observed.

"The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity leaning towards the northwest. This eruption was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 54 mm and a duration of approximately 2 minutes 37 seconds," he said.

He added that there was no sound of crashing. Currently Mount Anak Krakatau, Lampung, is at level III (Alert) status with recommendations for the public / visitors / travelers / climbers not to approach the mountain or to move within a 5 km radius of the active crater.

PVMBG also noted that the volcanic activity of Mount Marapi (2,891 mdpl) in West Sumatra until 06.00 WIB was observed by weak pressure crater smoke until it was being observed gray with moderate to thick intensity and a height of 400 m above the crater peak. "The smoke is leaning towards the southwest and northwest," he said.

The seismic data of Mount Marapi did not show a significant increase in volcanic activity. The number of eruptions was recorded 6 times with an amplitude of 3.9-33.6 mm and a duration of 30-49 seconds.

An earthquake with gusts as many as 18 times with an amplitude of 1.5 to 11.6 mm with an earthquake duration of 25-60 seconds. "Visual observations, the column of the eruption was not properly observed because it was covered in fog," he explained.

Hendra emphasized that because currently the status of Mount Marapi is still at the Alert level, the surrounding community and visitors / tourists are not allowed to climb the mountain within a radius of 3 km from the crater / peak.

"PVMBG will continue to monitor and monitor the activities of the three volcanoes and if there is a significant change in activity, the status of mountain activity will soon be reviewed," he said.