"When the Mount Merapi volcano erupted, people came out of their houses to witness the eruption. People already have experience and have learnt from the previous eruptions," Sutopo noted in a press release received in Jakarta on Friday.
Sutopo remarked that the status of Mount Merapi is still at alert level two, and the people residing in the vicinity of the peak did not yet have to evacuate. He also urged the public to remain calm and abandon activities within a three-kilometer radius of the summit of Mount Merapi.
Climbing activities at Mount Merapi are temporarily not recommended except in the case of investigation and research related to disaster mitigation efforts.
"People living in the disaster-prone areas III have been urged to raise awareness of the volcanic activities of Mount Merapi," he stated.
In case of ash rain, Sutopo has suggested that people should use personal protective equipment, such as masks, glasses, jackets, headgear, and footwear, while working outdoors.
Sutopo also called on the community to not panic over information on the eruption of Mount Merapi that has not come from reliable sources and continue to follow the directives of government officials and local government.
Mount Merapi, located on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region, erupted again on Friday at 8:20 a.m. local time on Friday.
Center for Research and Development of Geological Technology (BPPTKG) reported that the height of the eruption`s ash column was recorded at six thousand meters above the peak, approximately 8,968 meters above sea level.
The ash columns appeared gray, with thick intensity, leaning toward the West. The eruption was recorded in the seismogram, with a maximum amplitude of 77 millimeters and a duration of two minutes.
The eruption lasted only briefly for two minutes after which no further activity occurred.
The BPPTKG continues to monitor developments in the volcanic activity of Mount Merapi.
Reporter: Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
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