TRIBUNBATAM.id, YOGYAKARTA - Mount Merapi is still observed to continue releasing hot clouds and incandescent lava.
Based on the monitoring of the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) today, Friday (12/3/2021), from 6:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m there were two hot cloud avalanches.
The first hot cloud of avalanche occurred at 07.00 a.m.
The hot avalanche clouds were recorded on a seismogram with an amplitude of 40 millimeters and a duration of 102 seconds. Meanwhile, the estimated glide distance was 1,000 meters to the southwest.
Then, at 9:31 a.m., there was another hot cloud of avalanches.
This hot avalanche cloud was recorded on a seismogram with an amplitude of 38 millimeters and a duration of 77 seconds. The estimated glide distance is approximately 800 meters to the southwest.
In addition, there were also 3 times the avalanche of incandescent lava with the farthest sliding distance, up to 600 meters from the summit.
The BPPTKG also noted that today, there were 46 avalanches, five gusts, one multi-phase earthquake, and two distant tectonic earthquakes.
Currently, Mount Merapi's activity is still in the Alert status (level III). This status has not changed since November 5, 2020.
The BPPTKG recommendations regarding the condition of Mount Merapi are as follows:
1. The current potential hazards are in the form of lava avalanches and hot clouds in the south-southwest sector, covering the Kuning, Boyong, Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng, and Putih Rivers with a maximum distance of 5 kilometers. Meanwhile, the eruption of volcanic material when an explosive eruption occurs can reach a radius of 3 kilometers from the summit.
2. Communities not to carry out any activities in areas of potential danger.
3. The community should be aware of the dangers of lava, especially when it rains around Mount Merapi.
4. Tourism actors are recommended not to carry out activities in areas of potential danger and crater openings as far as 5 kilometers from the top of Mount Merapi.
5. If there is a significant change in activity, then the activity status of Mount Merapi will be reviewed immediately. (*)