Volcano Merapi calms down

Volcano Merapi calms down

YOGYAKARTA: Volcanologists are waiting until Monday before
lowering the alert level for Mt. Merapi, despite only minor
activity occurring in the past few days.

The volcano is currently at its second highest level of alert
after erupting nearly two weeks ago.

"We cannot lower the alert status of this volcano based on
observations that it has settled down," Ratdomopurbo of the
Volcanology Directorate's research office here said.

"It'll be lowered if its condition remains like this until
next Monday," he told The Jakarta Post.

No hot clouds spewed from the mountain's crater and no
significant volcanic activity was reported yesterday.

Merapi unleashed hot cloud and volcanic ash and sent lava
flows down its slopes on Sunday, forcing a brief evacuation of
7,000 villagers living nearby.

In 1994 the mountain erupted sending hot clouds into the air
which killed 66 people. (23/44)