Merapi gushes burning lava

Merapi gushes burning lava

SEMARANG, Central Java: Almost two months after its latest
lethal eruption, Mount Merapi continues to gush burning lava.

Officials at the Directorate of Geology office in Yogyakarta
said the 3,962 meter high volcano gushed fiery lava 17 times on
Sunday.

The lava streaming down into gorges along the slopes offered a
rare sight to tourists because it was clearly visible from
monitoring posts in Kaliurang, a tourist resort at the foot of
the mountain.

The absence of tremors indicates that another major eruption
is not eminent despite the mountain's high level of activity,
Antara reported yesterday.

More than 50 people were killed and several hundreds left
homeless when Merapi erupted in November. (pan)