The Morphology of Mount Merapi's Lava Dome Has Changed, Status Is Still Alert

The morphology of the lava dome of Mount Merapi has changed due to several eruptions that have occurred so far. (Jatengprov.go.id)

JAKARTA - The Research and Development Center for Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG) said that the morphology of the lava dome to the southwest of Mount Merapi has changed due to the activity of lava avalanches and hot clouds.

"The morphology of the southwestern dome experienced a slight change due to the activity of lava avalanches and hot clouds falling, while for the central dome no significant changes were observed," said BPPTKG Head Agus Budi Santoso in a written statement received by Antara in Yogyakarta, Sunday.

Changes in the morphology of the lava dome, according to him, were observed based on the results of morphological analysis of the lava dome from the Merbabu, Deles 5, and Babadan 2 camera stations for the period June 30 to July 6, 2023.

Based on an aerial photo on June 24, 2023, the volume of the southwestern dome of Merapi was measured at 2.465.900 cubic meters and the central dome was 2.346.500 cubic meters.

"On the southwestern dome, the highest hot spot was observed reaching 500 degrees Celsius, and on the central dome reaching 199.7 degrees Celsius," said Agus.

During the week-long observations, he said, Merapi once launched hot clouds of avalanches to the southwest with a maximum sliding distance of 2.700 meters, while lava avalanches were observed 117 times to the southwest with a maximum sliding distance of 2.000 meters.

Within a week, Mount Merapi was recorded to have experienced 20 hot cloud avalanches (AP), 79 shallow volcanic earthquakes (VTB), three low frequency (LF) earthquakes, 228 multiphase earthquakes (MP), 1,969 avalanche earthquakes (RF) ), 82 gusts of earthquakes (DG), and four times of tectonic earthquakes (TT).

"The intensity of the seismicity this week is lower than last week," said Agus.

Within a week, Mount Merapi was recorded to have experienced one hot cloud earthquake (APG), 92 shallow volcanic earthquakes (VTB), 543 multiple phase earthquakes (MP), nine low frequency earthquakes (LF), 1,128 avalanche earthquakes (RF). ), and 27 times tectonic earthquakes (TT).

"The intensity of the seismicity this week is still quite high," said Agus Budi.

He concluded that the volcanic activity of Mount Merapi was still quite high in the form of effusive eruption activity.

Until now, BPPTKG still maintains the status of Mount Merapi on the border of Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta at Level III or Standby.

To anticipate the potential danger of Mount Merapi eruption, the public is advised not to carry out any activities in potential hazard areas.

Drops of lava and hot clouds from Mount Merapi can affect areas in the south-southwest sector which includes the Boyong River (up to five km far) and the Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng Rivers (up to seven km far).