BERNAMA – Mount Merapi, an active volcano in Central Java and Yogyakarta, has recently emitted lava and pyroclastic flows that reached distances of up to 1.5 kilometres (km) from its summit.
These flows are moving towards upstream rivers nearby, prompting urgent warnings from authorities for residents to avoid the danger zones.
The Yogyakarta Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Centre (BPPTKG) reported that on Tuesday at 8.55pm, the flows were observed heading towards the Bebeng River.
“The volcano emitted weakly pressurised white smoke, reaching heights of 25 to 50 metres above the crater,” said the BPPTKG. In its latest report yesterday, it stated that there was one pyroclastic flow and 11 lava flows, all directed southwest with a maximum runout distance of 1.5km.
Current potential hazards include lava and pyroclastic flows in the southwest and southeast sectors, reaching distances between 3-7km towards several nearby rivers.
“Volcanic material projection in the event of an explosive eruption could reach a radius of 3km from the summit,” the BPPTKG noted, adding that ongoing magma supply could trigger lava and pyroclastic flows within the hazard zone.
