VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mount Merapi located in the Central Java and Yogyakarta border

Mount Merapi, located between Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces, on Saturday released a column of hot cloud rising 200 meters above the crater and reaching nearly 600 meters toward the upstream of Kali Krasak River. Eruption of the pyroclastic cloud occurred at 8:45 a.m. local time for a duration of 120 seconds and with a maximum amplitude of 45 mm, Hanik Humaida, head of the Center for Geological Disaster Research and Technology Development (BPPTKG), noted in a statement here on Saturday in Yogyakarta.

During the observation period from 6 to 12 a.m. local time, the BPPTKG also recorded seven lava avalanches, with a maximum glide distance of 500 meters toward the upstream of Kali Krasak.Based on visual observations, white smoke of moderate to thick intensity appeared, reaching 100 meters high above the crater’s peak. 

The BPPTKG maintains the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Alert. The potential danger due to the eruption of Merapi is estimated to be within a maximum radius of five kilometers from the summit. Tourism, climbing, and mining activities in rivers, whose upstream are located on the slopes of Mount Merapi, are recommended to be put on hold//ANT