Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (Antara Bali) - Mount Barujaris eruption, in the form of lava flows, has raised Segara Anak Lakes water level, according to Mutaharlin, the vulcanology officer from the Mount Rinjani observation outpost.
"The lava is flowing to the northeast of Mount Barujari and has entered up to about 400 meters into the lake," Mutaharlin reported when contacted in Mataram on Tuesday.
The 2,376-meter-high Mount Barujari erupted on Sunday (October 25) at around 10:45 a.m. local time and is still spewing smoke and volcanic ash.
Mount Barujari is also called "The Son of Mount Rinjani (3.726m)" by the local people as it was formed inside Mount Rinjanis Segara Anak Lake in 1944.
Mount Barujari remains active, and the lakes water level is steadily rising as lava and magma continue to flow, Mutaharlin pointed out.
The lava entering the Segara Anak Lake has increased its volume, raising fears of the water reaching critical level and resulting in floods in the Kokok Putek riverbank area, North Lombok District.
"The water temperatures have also increased. Though the normal temperature is around 20-21 degrees Celsius, but now, it has increased to 36.7-38 degrees Celsius," he added.
According to Mutaharlin, the water temperature in the Segara Anak Lake is still lower than what it had reached when Mount Barujari erupted in 1994, which increased the water temperature to 49 degrees Celsius. It led to a six-meter rise in the lakes water level and overflowed the Kokok Putek Bridge.
"If lava keep flowing, the water temperature of the lake will continue to rise and will affect the flora and fauna around it," Mutaharlin warned.(WDY)
