Quake Activity Increased, Mount Agung in Bali on Alert
15 September 2017 11:32 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Bandung - The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) elevated the status of Mount Agung in Bali from its normal status to Level II. This was caused by the increased seismic activity of the mountain.
“[The status] has been effective since Thursday 14:00 Central Indonesia Time or 13:00 Western Indonesian Time,” said PVMBG head Kasbani yesterday, September 14.
The mountain’s seismic activity had increased for the past month. Kasbani said his agency suggested to issue a three-kilometer red zone perimeter from the crater of Mount Agung in Bali. Despite its elevated status, according to Kasbani, the area surrounding the mountain is still considered to be safe.
Based on the records obtained by PVMBG, Mount Agung’s activity has increased since July this year. Shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes showed signs of increased activity and have also spouted solfatara.
Bali's Mount Agung has erupted four times since the 1800s, specifically in 1808, 1821, 1843, and in 1963. The eruption in 1963 happened on February 18 and ended nearly a year later on January 27, 1964, which killed 1,148 people and injured 296 people.
AHMAD FIKRI