Merapi active again, emits 13 blasts<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): After two days of insignificant activity, Mt.
\nMerapi again began spewing hot clouds early yesterday.<\/p>\n
Volcanologists stationed at the Kaliurang monitoring post said
\nMt. Merapi spewed clouds of hot ashes 13 times between 1 a.m. and
\n3 a.m. yesterday, the time of pre-dawn meal (sahur) for Moslems
\nobserving the holy fasting month of Ramadhan. Many people,
\ntherefore, were unaware of the increased activity so there was no
\npanic.<\/p>\n
The clouds traveled 3,500 meters toward the Krasak River in
\nthe southwestern part of the volcano and, although they have not
\nreached nearby residential areas, locals were alerted yesterday.<\/p>\n
The Krasak, Boyong and Bebeng rivers, six kilometers from the
\nvolcano, are still on maximum alert while the status of the
\nremaining areas has been reduced to \"be prepared\" following the
\nvolcano's decline in activity since Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Head of the volcanology office of Yogyakarta Mas Atje
\nPurbawinata told The Jakarta Post tremors followed the hot
\nclouds. The observatory post reported 24 volcanic tremors, which
\nreflected volcanic activity at 500 meters below the volcano's
\npeak.<\/p>\n
Mas Atje also said a dome of lava continued to grow on top of
\nthe volcano. The observatory center recorded 21 multi-phase
\ntremors for the six hours to 6 a.m. and 58 lava fallouts, the
\nsign of an unstable lava dome.<\/p>\n
About 15,000 people have been evacuated from surrounding
\nvillages since Mt. Merapi erupted last Friday. But most of them
\nhave begun returning to their homes despite warnings to stay
\naway.<\/p>\n
Authorities fear those who return home will suffer respiratory
\nproblems due to the volcanic ash Mt. Merapi is still emitting.<\/p>\n
The situation could worsen any time, they said. (23\/01)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/merapi-active-again-emits-13-blasts-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }