Bali’s Mount Agung volcano, located in the island’s eastern Karangasem regency, erupted again on Saturday, the volcano’s observatory said.
The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has said the eruption occurred because of the accumulation of volcanic gases.
PVMBG head Kasbani further said volcanic gases and other materials such as rocks and hot lava were released from Mt. Agung’s crater during Saturday’s eruption, which also resulted in ash rain in surrounding areas. The potential for a bigger eruption is relatively small.
The alert for Mount Agung is being maintained at the third level – the second highest danger alert level on the four-level scale – while the danger zone was still within a radius of 4km from the peak.
The centre warned residents and tourists to stay away from the danger zone, where no activity is allowed.
The authorities have forbidden climbing on Mount Agung since its volcanic activity increased last year.
“Volcanic activities in the danger zone are dynamic and can change at any time, according to the condition of the mountain,” the observatory said.
Mount Agung has been erupting periodically since it rumbled back to life in November last year. An eruption in June temporarily shut the holiday island’s airport and grounded hundreds of flights.
Source: Jakarta Post
Photo: Reuters