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)