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.