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)