Mt. Merapi spews hot gases

SEMARANG: Mount Merapi in Central Java has been spewing hot gases again in the past few weeks, prompting the authorities to call for public alert.

The head of the Mt. Merapi observation section of the directorate of volcanology in Yogyakarta, Mas Atje Purbawinata, said here Tuesday that volcanic activities have increased.

He was quoted by Antara as calling for vigilance from people living in areas close to the volcano, namely those near the Sat, Krasak, Bebeng and Boyong rivers.

The hot gases emissions spurted Sunday at 0.8 kilometers per hour toward the upper course of River Sat.

Mas Atje said gases spewed slowly 575 meters from the tip of the mountain.

Lahar continues to flow down the Sat, Senowo, Krasak, Bebeng and Boyong rivers at a maximum speed of 2.2 kilometers.

Mas Atje said a flood of lava could occur if heavy rain fell for more than two hours as about 13 million cubic meters of volcanic material such as sand, gravel and stone has been piling up on top of the mountain. (swe)