Mount Merapi Status Raised to Alert Level III
Rabu, 30 April 2014 10:15 WIB
Yogyakarta (Antara Bali) - The Geology Disaster Technology Development and Research Center (BPPTKG) of Yogyakarta on Wednesday raised the status of Mount Merapi from normal (alert level IV) to alert level III due to increasing volcanic activity.
Head of Yogyakarta BPPTKG Subandriyo said here Wednesday that the volcano, located at the border between Central Java and Sleman, Yogyakarta, recorded 20 low frequency tremors on Tuesday (April 29) which was predicted as an indication of the increasing volcanic gas flow that had potential to cause eruption.
"On the same day, several loud booms were also heard until eight kilometer radius from the Mount Merapi peak," Subandriyo said.
In period between 20-29 April 2014, there were 37 avalanches, 13 multiphase tremors, four blast or phreatic explosions, 24 tectonic tremors, and 29 low frequency tremors at the volcano.
The increased status of the mount, therefore, no hiking or climbing would be allowed, except for research or disaster mitigation matter.
"We also asked residents dwelling around Mount Merapi slope not to be provoked by rumors about the volcano's eruption but to follow instruction from the local authority," he said.
There was no evacuation order from the authority in the current volcano's status.
"We asked the local authority to socialize the condition of Mount Merapi so that residents get the correct information," he said.
The BPPTKG of Yogyakarta will intensify the observation on Mount Merapi following its increasing volcanic activity.
The latest major explosion of the most active volcano in Indonesia occured in 2010.
The eruption began in late October 2010 and series of eruptions continued into November.
Over 350,000 people were evacuated from the affected areas and at least 353 were killed during the eruptions. (WDY)