Head of the Research and Development Center for Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG) Agus Budi Santoso noted in an official statement here on Friday that the series of hot cloud avalanches occurred from 6:59 a.m. local time to 7:23 a.m. local time.
"The estimated maximum glide distance (of the avalanches) is two thousand meters to the southwest or Bebeng River," he remarked.
Santoso noted that during hot cloud avalanches, foggy conditions were observed at Mount Merapi, with the wind direction to the southeast.
"The public is urged to stay away from the danger areas," Santoso stated.
During its six-hour observation from 12 a.m. local time to 6 a.m. local time, the BPPTKG also recorded hot clouds spewed from Mount Merapi thrice, with a glide distance of three thousand meters to the southwest.
In addition, it was reported that Mount Merapi experienced three avalanche earthquakes, with an amplitude of 35-37 mm for 160.8-312.9 seconds, and 41 earthquakes due to the avalanche, with an amplitude of 3-34 mm for 22.6-208.6 seconds.
Also recorded were one low-frequency earthquake, with an amplitude of 13 mm for 20.9 seconds; one multiple-phase earthquake, with an amplitude of eight mm for 9.3 seconds; and a single distant tectonic earthquake, with an amplitude of 13 mm for 102.3 seconds.
Until now, the BPPTKG continues to maintain the status of Mount Merapi on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta at Level III or Alert.
Mt. Merapi's lava avalanches and hot clouds can affect areas in the south-southwest sector that included the rivers of Boyong, Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng.
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Translator: Luqman H, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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