Merapi shaken up by quakes

Merapi shaken up by quakes

SEMARANG, Central Java: Earthquakes have shaken up Mt. Merapi, on seven different occasions last week, Antara reported Friday. Mt. Merapi's activity status is now on "alert".

Djilal, an official at the office in charge of monitoring the volcano's activities at the Directorate Volcanology in Yogyakarta, said the quakes occurred "on the surface".

The volcano also experienced 77 lava slides, which flowed toward the Boyong and Bebeng rivers with a maximum speed of .4 km/hour.

Another official, Mas Atje Purbawinata, said that judging from the activities, the volcano's condition could be dangerous for people living on or near its slopes. (swe)