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)