BPPTKG: Mount Merapi Experienced 83 Falls Of Earthquakes

Illustration of Mount Merapi on the border of DI Yogyakarta and Central Java. (Between)

SLEMAN - The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) stated that Mount Merapi experienced 83 avalanches during the observation period on Wednesday, June 15 at 00.00-24.00 WIB.

Head of BPPTKG Agus Budi Santoso said, apart from avalanche earthquakes, during the observation period, two large-phase earthquakes and one shallow volcanic earthquake were recorded.

Based on visual observations, white smoke can be seen coming out of the mountain, which is located on the border of DI Yogyakarta and Central Java, with a height of about 50 meters above the peak.

During the observation period, eight lava avalanches were recorded out of the mountain with a maximum sliding distance of 1,500 meters to the southwest.

Quoting Antara, the deformation or changes in Merapi's body shape monitored by BPPTKG using electronic distance measurement (EDM) on June 15, 2022, showed an average distance shortening rate of 0.2 cm in three days.

Meanwhile, Agus said, based on the results of morphological analysis for the period from 27 May to 2 June 2022, no changes in height were observed, neither the southwest dome nor the central dome.

The volume of the southwest lava dome was recorded at 1,551,000 cubic meters, and the central dome of 2,582,000 cubic meters.

Until now BPPTKG still maintains the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Alert.

Lava flows and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can impact areas within the south-southwest sector which include the Boyong River (a maximum of five km) and the Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng Rivers (a maximum of seven km).

In addition, lava flows and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can impact areas in the southeastern sector which include the Woro River (a maximum of three km) and the Gendol River (a distance of five km).

If the volcano experiences an explosive eruption, then the ejection of volcanic material can reach an area within a radius of three kilometers from the top of the mountain.