Merapi rumbles, spews lava again

Merapi rumbles, spews lava again

MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): One of the world's most active
volcanoes here, Mt. Merapi, rumbled again yesterday while spewing
out more lava and hot gas from its cone.

The head of the local Volcanology Directorate's research
office, Mas Atje Purbawinata, said several cracks created by
internal pressure at the top of the mountain had also been
observed.

"Cracking is now taking place at the top, and we've been
monitoring the phenomenon closely," Atje said.

The cracks could lead to massive lava flow, creating hot
clouds, he said.

Lava began spewing from the volcano earlier this week,
prompting authorities to heighten their alert status for a
possible eruption to the highest level.

Since early yesterday morning till noon, at least 10 tremros
have been recorded.

"This show that the magma activity is rising. We estimate that
the core of the activity is located about 300 meters below the
tip of the cone," Atje said.

Residents in nearby areas have already been advised to be
ready for evacuation, while officials have overseen the building
of dams to channel possible lava flow away from populated areas,
he said.

In various villages near Yogyakarta, emergency posts have been
setup to anticipate any possible situation which may arise.

"For the Sleman regency, coordinating posts have been setup in
Cangkringan, Turi and Tempel districts," Atje said.

In November 1994, the 2,968-meter-high volcano erupted without
warning and killed 66 people.

In January 1997, more than 8,000 villagers living at the foot
of the mountain had to be evacuated after it spewed out hot gas,
ash and lava over surrounding areas.

Merapi's most destructive eruption this century was in 1930,
when it killed 1,300 people.

The volcano is about 20 kilometers from the ancient royal
capital of Yogyakarta, now a city of two million people. Several
million more live in the vicinity. (har/23/44)