"Based on monitoring carried out since Sunday (January 15) at 9:16 pm local time, until Monday (January 16) at 5 am, there was a significant increase in CO2 gas (concentration) at the Timbang Crater in Dieng Plateau in Sumberejo Village, Batur Sub-district, Banjarnegara," Dieng PGA post officer Aziz Yuliawan stated when contacted from Banyumas on Monday.
The officer said the gas measuring device showed that the CO2 gas concentration had reached 5,600 ppm on Monday at 12:27 am local time and increased steadily to 7,300 ppm at 1:30 am local time.
"The distance between the measuring tool and the center of the Timbang Crater is 170 meters," he remarked.
On Monday, at 5:40 am local time, the measurement was conducted 130 meters from the crater’s center, and the device recorded 10 thousand ppm of CO2 concentration.
According to Yuliawan, the current potential volcanic hazard in Dieng is the increasing concentration of volcanic gases, especially CO2, in Timbang Crater that can lead to the flow of CO2.
"Based on the comprehensive evaluation, the activity level of Mount Dieng on Monday at 06:00 am, is still at Level II (Careful), with recommendations adjusted to the latest potential hazards," he explained.
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In connection with this, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) urged people to not approach the southwestern, southern, and southeast sectors within 500 meters of Timbang Crater to avoid the hazardous flow of CO2.
In addition, people are urged to be vigilant while excavating the soil around Timbang Crater, as they might be exposed to CO2 gas.
"People and tourists are asked not to approach the Sileri Crater within 1 km from the crater rim. Sileri Crater is located in Kepakisan Village, Batur Sub-district," he explained.
PVMBG also recommended that public and tourists should stay away from other craters located in the Dieng complex where phreatic eruptions, in the form of mud or material blast, can occur.
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Translator: Sumarwoto, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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