Government closely monitors over 10 of 129 active volcanoes

Government closely monitors over 10 of 129 active volcanoes

BANDUNG (JP): An "alert" status has been placed on 10 of the
country's 129 volcanoes due to increased activity, a state
volcanologist said on Thursday.

Eddy Mulyadi, the head of the Ministry of Mines and Energy's
subdirectorate of volcano mapping, said his office had sent two
teams of six volcanologists to monitor the 10 volcanoes.

Eddy identified the volcanoes as Mt. Marapi in Bukittinggi,
West Sumatra, Mt. Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Straits in Lampung
and Mt. Kerinci in Jambi. Also on the list are several volcanoes
in Java, namely Mt. Ijen in Banyuwangi, East Java, Mt. Semeru in
Kediri, East Java, and Mt. Merapi in Yogyakarta.

Other volcanoes on the list are Mt. Inelika in Flores, East
Nusa Tenggara, Mt. Karangetan on Siau island, North Sulawesi, Mt.
Lokon in Manado, North Sulawesi, and Mt. Soputan in North
Sulawesi.

"However it is difficult for us to monitor the situation at
Mt. Soputan, Mt. Kerinci and Mt. Karangetang because our
seismograph equipment at these locations is broken and remains
unrepaired," Eddy told The Jakarta Post.

According to Eddy, his office was only able to monitor 63 of
the country's 79 most active volcanoes.

"The remaining 16 volcanoes, including nine which are located
beneath the sea, are beyond our control," he said without
identifying the volcanoes.

Eddy added that it was also difficult to monitor Mt. Peutsagu
in Aceh because of security concerns in the rebellious province.

He also warned people residing near the 2,968-meter-high Mt.
Merapi to remain alert because the volcano has been spewing hot
clouds of steam and fine ash since last week.

"We also hope that they refrain from climbing the mountain
until further notice," Eddy said.

The volcano last erupted in February, but there were no
fatalities. Mt. Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in the
country. (25)