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)