Mount Merapi Now Has 2 Active Lava Domes, Check Out BPPTKG's Explanation

Mount Merapi's incandescent lava avalanche can be seen from Turi, Sleman, DI Yogyakarta, Monday (13/3/2023). (ANTARA PHOTO/Hendra Nurdiyansyah/nym)

JAKARTA - The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) revealed that Mount Merapi, which is located on the border of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, now has two active lava domes in one eruption period. Head of BPPTKG Agus Budi Santoso said the two active lava domes were the first in history to be formed due to the eruption since January 4, 2021. "We suspect that at that time there would be an explosive or effusive eruption with a high rate of eduction, but then it turned out that there was nothing that we were worried about. The phenomenon that occurred was the emergence of two lava domes," Agus said when contacted by telephone in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Friday, March 24. The two active lava domes are the southwest lava dome and the central lava dome of the crater. Agus explained that Mount Merapi initially had only one lava dome, namely the central lava dome of the crater that appeared after the eruption in 2018. Then, the eruption that occurred on January 4, 2021, formed a southwest lava dome. The two eruptions formed two lava domes on Mount Merapi. Based on monitoring using drones carried out on March 18, 2023, following the eruption of March 11, 2023, the condition of the southwest lava dome still looks active as indicated by temperatures reaching 230 degrees Celsius. The air photos show clearer limits on avalanche material. A total of two hot areas were seen in the central and lower parts of the dome suspected of being the location of avalanches and hot clouds falling on the southwest side. The southern part of the southwest dome that leads to the Boyong River also appears to be active. The central lava dome was also observed to have a hot spot on the east bank of the central dome with temperatures reaching 114 degrees Celsius. Agus said the supply of magma from within and shallow is still ongoing which can trigger hot clouds of avalanches in potential hazard areas. According to him, the existence of the two active lava domes has made the potential for eruption hazards even wider, which was previously only on the southeast side, but now also has the potential to lead to the southwest. "People need to train themselves to evacuate quickly and effectively. When there are any symptoms, either early warning or emergency events, people can respond well and quickly," concluded Agus.