Merapi named decade's volcano

Merapi named decade's volcano

BANDUNG: Mt. Merapi in Central Java has been named as one of
this decade's volcanoes by the United Nations agency for
International Natural Disaster Reduction, officials said.

This means that Merapi will be subject to observation and
discussion by international geologists and experts throughout the
1990s, Adjat Sudradjat, the director general of geology and
mineral resources, said.

"Merapi will be like a natural laboratory for volcano experts
from all over the world," he said.

The volcano was chosen because it has been consistently active
although it has never appeared to be very dangerous. Merapi also
has most volcanic characteristics, which makes measuring
geochemicals, geophysics and deformation easier, he said.

Besides Merapi, mountains in Sri Lanka and Italy have also
been named as this decade's volcanoes. (pet/emb)