For 24 Hours, Mount Merapi Experienced 75 Earthquakes Aborted

Mount Merapi emits hot clouds of avalanches photographed from Srumbung, Magelang, Central Java. (Photo: ANTARA)

YOGYAKARTA - The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) stated that Mount Merapi on the border of the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java experienced 75 avalanches during the observation period on Saturday, July 2, at 00.00-24.00 WIB.

Head of BPPTKG Agus Budi Santoso in a written statement in Yogyakarta, Sunday, said that apart from the avalanche earthquake, during the observation period, one tectonic earthquake was recorded.

Based on visual observations, white smoke can be seen coming out of Mount Merapi with moderate intensity with a height of about 50 meters above the peak.

During the observation period, six lava avalanches were recorded out of the mountain with a maximum sliding distance of 1,800 meters to the southwest.

The deformation or changes in the shape of Merapi's body, which was monitored by BPPTKG using electronic distance measurement (EDM) on July 2, 2022, showed an average distance shortening rate of 0.3 cm in three days.

Meanwhile, Agus said, based on the results of morphological analysis in the period 24-30 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.

It rained at the Mount Merapi Observation Post with an intensity of 40 mm per hour for 30 minutes at the Kaliurang Post on June 24, 2022.

"There are no reports of lava floods (rain) or additional flows in rivers that head to Mount Merapi," said Agus Budi.

Agus Budi said, BPPTKG is still maintaining the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Alert.

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

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 kilometers) and the Gendol River (a distance of five kilometers).

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.