Merapi active again, emits 13 blasts

Merapi active again, emits 13 blasts

YOGYAKARTA (JP): After two days of insignificant activity, Mt.
Merapi again began spewing hot clouds early yesterday.

Volcanologists stationed at the Kaliurang monitoring post said
Mt. Merapi spewed clouds of hot ashes 13 times between 1 a.m. and
3 a.m. yesterday, the time of pre-dawn meal (sahur) for Moslems
observing the holy fasting month of Ramadhan. Many people,
therefore, were unaware of the increased activity so there was no
panic.

The clouds traveled 3,500 meters toward the Krasak River in
the southwestern part of the volcano and, although they have not
reached nearby residential areas, locals were alerted yesterday.

The Krasak, Boyong and Bebeng rivers, six kilometers from the
volcano, are still on maximum alert while the status of the
remaining areas has been reduced to "be prepared" following the
volcano's decline in activity since Tuesday.

Head of the volcanology office of Yogyakarta Mas Atje
Purbawinata told The Jakarta Post tremors followed the hot
clouds. The observatory post reported 24 volcanic tremors, which
reflected volcanic activity at 500 meters below the volcano's
peak.

Mas Atje also said a dome of lava continued to grow on top of
the volcano. The observatory center recorded 21 multi-phase
tremors for the six hours to 6 a.m. and 58 lava fallouts, the
sign of an unstable lava dome.

About 15,000 people have been evacuated from surrounding
villages since Mt. Merapi erupted last Friday. But most of them
have begun returning to their homes despite warnings to stay
away.

Authorities fear those who return home will suffer respiratory
problems due to the volcanic ash Mt. Merapi is still emitting.

The situation could worsen any time, they said. (23/01)