Thursday morning saw an increase in the volcanic activity of Mount Merapi in Central Java. The active stratovolcano reportedly spewed hot ash twice. At 7.45 a.m., the first eruption occurred and lasted for about 2 minutes. Ashes were ejected up to a height of 1,200 metres. The second eruption followed at 10.17 a.m. and lasted for approximately 1.5 minutes, shooting 1,000 metres of ash.
The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) informed the public via its Twitter account that it is safe for residents to carry out their daily activities. The organisation claims that residents are still within a safe distance from the hot ash. In their four-tiered alert system, the BPPTKG has currently placed Merapi at the second-highest, or ‘status waspada’ in Indonesian. It is recommended that residents and tourists steer clear within a 3-kilometre radius from the peak of the mountain.
Source: The Jakarta Post
Image: Kompas