Mount Merapi Launches Hot Clouds Falling Towards 2 Rivers

Mount Merapi on the border of Central Java (Central Java) and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) launched hot clouds of avalanches towards two rivers upstream of Merapi on Monday (4/12/2023) (ANTARA/HO-BPPTKG)

YOGYAKARTA - Mount Merapi on the border of Central Java (Central Java) and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) launched hot clouds of avalanches four times towards two rivers located in the south and southwest of the mountain.

Head of BPPTKG Yogyakarta Agus Budi Santoso said hot clouds of avalanches came out towards Kali Boyong three times with a maximum sliding distance of 3,000 meters (3 km).

"Three hot clouds of avalanches were observed to the south (Kali Boyong) with a maximum sliding distance of 3,000 meters," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, December 4.

Three times the hot clouds fell towards Kali Boyong, the first monitored at 17.12 WIB with a maximum amplitude of 30 mm, a duration of 244 seconds, with a sliding distance of 2,400 meters.

Second, at 17.16 WIB with a maximum amplitude of 53 mm, a duration of 300 seconds as far as 3,000 meters.

Next, the third came out at 17.23 WIB with a maximum amplitude of 53 mm, a duration of 210 seconds, as far as 2,000 meters.

After that, BPPTKG again observed hot clouds falling out at 17.36 WIB with a maximum amplitude of 50 mm, a duration of 124 seconds, as far as 1,200 meters, but this time towards the upper reaches of Kali Krasak.

"One hot cloud has fallen to the southwest (Kali Krasak) with a sliding distance of 1,200 meters," he said.

Because starting at 18.02 WIB the rain was observed to flush the peak of Merapi, Agus appealed to the public to be aware of the dangers of rain lava in rivers upstream of Merapi.

"Be aware of the dangers of lahars in rivers that originate in Merapi and hot clouds of avalanches in areas of potential danger. People are advised to stay away from recommended hazard areas," said Agus.

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

The potential danger of lava avalanches and hot clouds from avalanches could have an impact on Woro River up to three kilometers from the summit and Gendol River to five kilometers from the summit.

In addition, lava avalanches and hot clouds of avalanches, he said, could have an impact on Boyong River up to five kilometers from the summit as well as Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng rivers up to seven kilometers from the summit.

If there is an explosive eruption, he continued, then the ejection of volcanic material from Mount Merapi can reach an area within a radius of three kilometers from the top of the mountain.