"The seismograph recorded the pyroclastic avalanches, with a maximum amplitude of 35 mm and duration of 100 seconds" Head of BPPTKG stated.
Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - Center for Investigation and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG) reported that Mount Merapi, on the border of the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java, released avalanches of hot clouds six times on Thursday.

BPPTKG Head Hanik Humaida stated in Yogyakarta, Thursday, that during the first observation period, pyroclastic avalanches occurred at 5:12, 5:33, and 5:46 Western Indonesia Time, with a maximum distance of one thousand meters to the southwest direction.

"The seismograph recorded the pyroclastic avalanches with maximum amplitude of 35 mm and duration of 100 seconds," she noted.

The BPPTKG monitored the subsequent pyroclastic avalanches at 6:15, 9:38, and 9:55 Western Indonesia Time, at a maximum distance of 1,500 meters to the southeast and maximum amplitude of 60 mm for a duration of 127 seconds.

The lava and pyroclastic avalanches are projected to affect areas in the south and southwest direction of the mountain that comprised Sungai Kuning, Boyong, Bedog, Krasak, Bebeng, and Putih.

During the time period between 6:00 and 12:00 local time, three pyroclastic avalanche quakes were recorded with an amplitude of 40-60 mm for 95-127 seconds; 95 avalanche quakes, with an amplitude of 3-30 mm for 7-161 seconds; one low-frequency quake, with an amplitude of 6 mm for 11 seconds; as well as 42 multi-phase quakes, with an amplitude of 2-12 mm and duration of 4-11 seconds.

The BPPTKG also noted 15 shallow volcanic earthquakes, with an amplitude of 35-75 mm for 9-24 seconds. Until now, the BPPTKG continues to hold the status of Mount Merapi at Level III, or watch.

Mount Merapi is the most active volcanic mountain in Java Island. Its eruption can reach a three-kilometer radius from the peak. The latest major eruption was recorded on November 5, 2010. Related news: Mount Merapi erupts with hot clouds dispersing over 1.8 kilometers
Related news: Mount Merapi belches incandescent lava as far as 1 km



Translator: Luqman H, Uyu Septiyati Liman
Editor: Suharto
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