Mount Merapi Vomits Lava Falls 39 Times As Far As 1,600 Meters

Erupsi Gunung Merapi (ANTARA)

SLEMAN - Mount Merapi's volcanic activity was still quite high in the past week. It is known, in the early hours of Thursday 19 September, Mount Merapi emitted hot clouds to the Southwest (Bebeng River) with a sliding distance of 1,350 meters.

The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) in Thursday's observations from 00.00 to 06.00 WIB stated that the visual of the mountain was clear. Weak pressure crater smoke was observed to be white with a thin intensity and 25 meters high above the crater peak.

"There were 39 lava avalanches to the southwest of Bebeng River with a maximum sliding distance of 1,600 meters," said BPPTKG in its official statement.

BPPTKG said the current potential hazards 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, the Bedog River, Krasak, Bebeng as far as a maximum of 7 km. The southeast sector covers the Woro River for a maximum of 3 km and the Gendol River 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. Monitoring data shows that magma supply is still ongoing which can trigger hot clouds of avalanches within potential hazard areas.

"For this reason, the public is advised not to carry out activities in areas of potential danger and be aware of the dangers of lava and hot clouds falling (APG), especially when it rains around Mount Merapi," he continued.

The public is also asked to anticipate disturbances caused by volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi. If there is a significant change in activity, the level of activity of Mount Merapi will soon be reviewed.