Mt. Slamet shows signs of activity

Mt. Slamet shows signs of activity

PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Residents in the Purbalingga,
Banyumas and Pemalang regencies are being put on the alert as
Mount Slamet is beginning to show signs of volcanic activity.

"The activity is still on a small scale, but people have to
beware," Purbalingga regent Soelarno told The Jakarta Post
yesterday.

The 3,428-meter-high mountain has been puffing volcanic cloud
and ash along with occasional flames since the weekend.

The spewed ash has whitened roof tops and trees in the nearby
village of Kutabawa.

In the surrounding areas, the volcanic clouds restrict vision
during much of the day to 10 meters.

However, for many of the villagers in the surrounding area
such activity has become a yearly occurrence as the mountain is
known to cause minor tremors and dispatch fire balls from its
12.5-hectare crater nightly.

Despite the activity, the mountain remains a popular climb for
nature lovers and adventurers. Records show that Mount Slamet has
erupted 38 times since 1772.

It has also claimed the lives of 31 climbers since 1981. They
either fell into the crater, got lost or froze at the high
altitude. (wah)