BMKG Reminds People To Beware Of Cold Lava Eruptions

The appearance of Mount Marapi irradiated volcanic ash accompanied by the ejection of red incandescent material in Agam Regency. (ANTARA/Muhammad Zulfikar).

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of the Class II Minangkabau Meteorological Station, Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra reminded the community around the river that originates from Mount Marapi to increase awareness of the potential threat of cold lava.

"Regions located around the river that originates from Mount Marapi need to increase awareness of cold lava," said the Coordinator for Observation and Information at the Minangkabau Meteorological Station Yudha Nugraha in Padang as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 17.

Yudha explained that volcanic ash deposits caused by the eruption of Mount Marapi along the river at any time could pose a threat to the community around the riverbanks. The potential for cold lava is getting bigger, especially during the rainy season.

"So, this is what the public needs to be aware of, especially those living around the river," Yudha reminded.

Moreover, currently the potential for rain in Agam Regency, Tanah Datar Regency and Bukittinggi City is quite high and it is estimated that it will continue for the next few days.

Responding to the potential for cold lava, the Meteorological Station BMKG Class II Minangkabau together with the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) have coordinated regarding the modeling of volcanic ash deposits in river flows, including the level of rain intensity.

In principle, high-intensity weather conditions can or have the potential to cause river flow to be heavier which automatically carries mud or volcanic ash deposited at the bottom of the river.

Separately, the Head of the Mount Marapi Eruption Emergency Response Team from PVMBG Kristianto said that he continued to remind the public about the threat of cold lava, especially those living around the river that originates at Mount Marapi.