BPPTKG Issues Warning as Mount Merapi Spews Lava

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - A dramatic video clearly recording an incandescent lava avalanche of Mount Merapi made rounds on social media on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. From the enlarged video footage, it appears that rocks scatter when the avalanche occurs accompanied by thick smoke.

The narration in the video states that on Tuesday morning, the volcano experienced an avalanche from the 2021 lava dome which is on the southwest side. The collapse of the lava dome was clearly documented on the camera, which is about nine kilometers from the mountain’s top to the south or to be precise on the edge of Kali Kuning.

7 Lava Avalanches

Agus Budi Santosa, Head of the Yogyakarta Geological Disaster Technology Investigation and Development Center (BPPTKG), confirmed the incident. He said there were at least seven avalanches on Mount Merapi between 00:00-12:00 western Indonesian time (WIB). “The sound of avalanches was heard 2 times from the Babadan Post at moderate intensity,” he added.

BPPTKG also noted that throughout this morning, the volcano was clearly visible. Weak-pressure ash in the crater was observed to be white with medium intensity as high as 30-50 meters above the top. The smoke began to miss towards noon.

Potential Hazards: Lava Avalanches and Hot Clouds

“The potential danger is still in the form of lava avalanches and hot clouds,” Agus emphasized. It is especially in the south-southwest sector including the Boyong River for a maximum of 5 km, the Bedog River, Krasak River, and Bebeng River for a maximum of 7 km.

Meanwhile, the potential hazards in the southeastern sector include the Woro River at a maximum of 3 km and the Gendol River at 5 km. “The ejection of volcanic material in the event of an explosive eruption can reach a radius of 3 km from the summit,” he added.

The public as well as tourists, said Agus, are still being asked not to carry out any activities in potentially dangerous areas, to keep anticipating disturbances caused by volcanic ash from the mountain’s eruption, and to be aware of the danger of lava, especially when rain showers around the volcano area.

“The activity status of Mount Merapi is still at alert Level III or Siaga,” said Agus.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)

Editor's Choice: Mount Merapi Emits Hot Clouds Today, the First in December

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News