Mt. Merapi spews out gas

Mt. Merapi spews out gas

SEMARANG: Indonesia's most active volcano Mt. Merapi has been
spewing out an average 47 tons of sulfuric gas a day since
Monday, with red-hot lava flowing down to the tributaries of the
Sat, Krasak, Bebeng, Senowo and Boyong rivers.

The lava has flowed down 2.5 km from the crater, according to
the head of the team formed by Yogyakarta's volcanology office to
monitor Mt. Merapi, Mas Atje Purbawinata.

He was quoted by Antara as saying Wednesday that weather
conditions around the volcano have generally been good this week
and that earthquakes have been weak.

Nonetheless, local people have been asked to remain alert over
the dangers brought about by hot fumes, he added.

Mt. Merapi lies on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta.