Eruption Alert Status, Mount Slamet Climbing In Purbalingga Closed

The Mount Slamet Climbing Line In Purbalingga, Central Java (ANTARA)

PURBALINGGA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, appealed to climbers to comply with the ban on climbing to the top of Mount Slamet because the largest mountain on the island of Java is still on Alert Status (Level II).

"Even based on the information we received from PVMBG (Vulcanology Center and Geological Hazard Mitigation) that since last Thursday there has been an expansion of the recommendation distance of Mount Slamet," said Head of BPBD Purbalingga Regency Prayitno, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, May 17.

He said that previously PVMBG recommended that people or tourists not be allowed to move within a two-kilometer radius of the summit of Mount Slamet. However, with the expansion of the recommendation distance, he said, people or tourists should not move within a three-kilometer radius of the summit of Mount Slamet.

"PVMBG states that the expansion of the recommendation distance was carried out because based on the results of observations, monitoring data showed an increase in pressure under Mount Slamet's body, which could trigger shallow earthquakes or eruptions. In addition, Mount Slamet's volcanic activity is still high," he said.

He said PVMBG also informed that the potential threat to the danger of Mount Slamet is currently a phreatic and magnesium eruption that can produce the ejection of incandescent material that hit the area around the peak within a three-kilometer radius.

In addition, he said, ash rain can occur around the crater or hit areas determined by wind direction and speed.

"Therefore, we urge climbers to continue to comply with the ban on climbing to the top of Mount Slamet which has actually been enforced since the status increase from Normal to Alert on October 19, 2023," he said.

He also appealed to the people around Mount Slamet to remain calm and not be provoked by irresponsible news regarding the activities of Mount Slamet.

"We will continue to coordinate with PVMBG, especially the Slamet Volcano Observation Post (PGA) in Gambuhan Village, Pulosari District, Pemalang Regency, which continues to monitor the development of Mount Slamet's volcanic activity," said Prayitno.

PVMBG has upgraded the status of Mount Slamet from Normal to Alert since October 19, 2023 due to the increase in volcanic activity in the mountains located in Purbalingga, Pemalang, Tegal, Brebes, and Banyumas Regencies.