Mount Merapi Erupts, Blankets Indonesian City in Ash
The towering 2,891-meter volcano spewed ash at 14:54 local time (07:54 GMT), according to authorities. Footage released by BNPB showed vehicles and streets covered in ash.
Authorities have prohibited any activities within a 3-kilometer radius of the crater and set the second-highest alert level for Mount Merapi.
"We've distributed masks and encouraged residents to stay home," said Ade Setiawan, the local disaster management bureau's representative.
Indonesia is situated on the "Ring of Fire," a Pacific Ocean arc that hosts over 127 active volcanoes, according to the Volcanology Agency.
New Perspective
Mount Merapi's recent eruption has attracted global attention due to its proximity to populated Asian cities. The World Meteorological Organization is keeping close tabs on the situation for worldwide updates.
The ongoing eruption has been marked by high seismic activity, frequent lava avalanches, and occasional pyroclastic flows. The SW lava dome, in particular, has experienced significant morphological changes while continuously emitting material.
Residents are urged to maintain a distance of 3 to 7 kilometers from the summit, based on current alert level guidelines from various agencies. The recent activity has resulted in ashfall in locations such as Pasarbubar station, Selo, and Cepogo.
Regular updates on seismicity, lava dome activity, and other volcanic phenomena are provided by the Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG) and Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG). Additionally, MAGMA Indonesia, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), and satellite data contribute to monitoring efforts.
