Volcanic Activities Of Mt Agung Slowing Down

Pewarta : Reported by IMB Andi Purnomo

Volcanic Activities Of Mt Agung Slowing Down

Karangasem (Antara Bali)- Volcanic activities of Mount Agung have decreased since the last two days, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG).

"Based on the record of the monitoring post, the number of tremors has dropped since two days ago," Gede Suantika, head of the PVMBG`s Volcanology Mitigation, said here, Monday.

Despite the drop in the number of tremors, the highest volcano on Bali Island remains in the fourth level emergency status because its tremors` quality and quantity are still considered high, he said while monitoring the mountain from an observation post located in Rendang Village, Karangasem District, Bali.

"Besides, visually, the condition in its peak has not changed," he noted.

Meanwhile, based on observation on Sept 30, there is a 100 meter-long crack in the surface of Mt Agung`s crater.

The PVMBG recorded a total of 143 volcanic tremors and 16 local tectonic tremors on Monday from 6 a.m. to noon local time.

A total of 144,389 people have taken refuge in nine districts and cities in Bali.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has installed 54 warning signs at the perimeter of Mount Agung amid fears that the volcano could erupt for the first time in over 50 years.

Head of Data and Information Center of BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, stated in a telephonic conversation on Saturday that the signs are installed as notifications for people about their whereabouts with reference to Mount Agung`s exclusion zone.

For example, some signs read "you are at nine-kilometer radius from Mount Agung`s peak," while some others bear other warning and advice.

BNPB has also stationed six mobile sirens around the mount after the volcano`s status increased to alert level IV or Awas.

Despite the active volcano, the Indonesian Government as well as the Bali provincial administration have ensured that Bali is still save for tourists.

Most of Bali`s main tourist attractions are located quite far from Mt Agung. (WDY)
Editor: I Gusti Bagus Widyantara
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