Mount Merapi Launches 1.5 Km Hot Cloud, Status Remains Alert

Illustration of an erupting mountain (ANTARA)

SLEMAN - Volcanic activity at Mount Merapi again showed an increase on Tuesday, February 24, early morning. The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) recorded one hot cloud fall and dozens of incandescent lava falls leading to the southwest sector.

In the observation period report from 00.00-06.00 WIB, BPPTKG Head Agus Budi Santoso said that the falling hot cloud was recorded with an amplitude of 17.76 mm and lasted for 151.87 seconds.

"The hot cloud is sliding towards the southwest or upstream of the Krasak River with a maximum sliding distance of 1,500 meters," Agus said in an official statement, Tuesday morning.

In addition to the hot clouds, seismic activity was also observed quite intensely. There were 47 aftershocks with amplitudes ranging from 3-14 mm and durations of 55.96-192.37 seconds.

Visually, BPPTKG observed 19 lava discharges towards Kali Krasak with a maximum distance of 1,600 meters. Then, nine times towards Kali Sat/Putih with a glide distance of up to 2,000 meters, and twice towards Kali Bebeng with a distance of 1,200 meters.

"The earthquake data also recorded 17 hybrid earthquakes or many phases with an amplitude of 3-36 mm. This indicates that the magma supply is still ongoing and has the potential to trigger hot cloud deposits within the potential danger area," explained Agus.

Until now, the status of Mount Merapi remains at Level III or Alert. BPPTKG asks the public not to carry out activities in the vulnerable zone, especially in the south-southwest sector which includes the Boyong River with a maximum radius of 5 kilometers, as well as the Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng rivers up to a radius of 7 kilometers.

Meanwhile, in the southeast sector, the public is asked to avoid the Woro River area within a radius of 3 kilometers and the Gendol River as far as 5 kilometers from the peak.

BPPTKG also reminded residents to be aware of the potential for lava and hot clouds to fall when it rains around the peak, including the possibility of volcanic ash interference. If there is a significant increase in activity, an evaluation of the status of Merapi will be carried out immediately.