Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, erupted Thursday, spewing a column of ash 2,000 meters into the air, while threatening the roughly 24 million people who live in the vicinity with cold lava flooding.
Videograpic on volcanoes. Indonesia's Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted Thursday as fiery red molten lava streamed down from the crater and it belched clouds of grey ash 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) into the sky.VIDEOGRAPHICS
The eruption began at 5:16 local time (10:16 GMT) on the Indonesian island of Java. The volcano's alert status was raised to one level above normal, indicating no immediate danger to surrounding areas, though a 3km radius exclusion zone has been established around the volcano as a precaution. Eyewitness video from the scene shows stunned locals in awe of the eruption.
Gunung merapi pagi ini 05.18 wib view Tempel...#merapi#gunung#Jogja#update@Jogja24Jampic.twitter.com/fOthXCnddD— Arifin Malau (@malaudotcom) February 12, 2020
— Mba Pes (@mbapesofficial) February 12, 2020
Merapi pagi ini semoga tetap mandali @merapi_newspic.twitter.com/zpqPv7HzKd— Calon Dukuh (@dilisaputra_) February 12, 2020
“The eruption lasted 150 seconds, spewing smoke and a 2,000-meter-high ash column,” National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Agus Wibowo said in a statement on Thursday.
Authorities advised commercial planes to take care and avoid the immediate airspace around the volcano as ash rained down on a 10-square kilometer area.
13 feb,2020 pukul 05.16 wib pic.twitter.com/au4HOr4cRK— pendaki lokal🇲🇨🏁 (@JokoSus46520969) February 12, 2020
Mount Merapi has been erupting for centuries with the last major one on May 11, 2019 forcing large scale evacuations. The deadly 2010 eruption claimed the lives of 340 people, almost half of the roughly 800 volcano-related fatalities in Indonesia in the past decade, while some 60,000 people were displaced.
According to the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG), Merapi's volcanic activity increased between mid-December 2019 and mid-January 2020.
INDONESIA'S most active volcano Mount Merapi has erupted sending a giant plume of ash 6,500 feet into the air.
Disaster management authorities have issued a warning to tourists and locals to stay outside a two-mile radius zone around the peak of the lava-spewing volcano. Hanik Humaida, the head of the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Centre, said: “There has been an increase in Merapi’s volcanic activity from mid-December 2019 to mid-January this year, both under and on the ground. Similar eruptions can still happen in the future as an indicator that the magma chamber is still supplying magma.”
Dangers surrounding the volcano eruption involve the collapse of a lava dome, which would cause terrifying slides of pyroclastic rocks and other volcanic materials, lava floods and heavy downpours, resulting in toxic chemicals being emitted into the air and breathed in.
Social media users shared images of the stunning sight on Twitter.
One shared a picture of the giant smoke cloud piercing the morning sunrise.
It had the caption: “Mount Merapi this morning and now is improving. #merapimeletus.”
Another shared a video of bubbling lava coming out of the volcano with the caption: “Mount Merapi in Jogjakarta, Indonesia erupted again this morning #merapivolcano #Merapi #eruption #volcano.”
Another, referring to the locals at the foot of the volcano, said: “The majestic Merapi strikes again. Hope they’re okay. #merapi.”
A fourth posted another picture of the rising ash cloud and said simply: “Beautiful but scary.”
The commenter added a sad emoji after the post.
The eruption happened at 5.15am local time.
Marapi is an active volcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta in Indonesia.
It is the most active volcano in the region and has erupted regularly since 1548.
A major eruption in 2010 saw the death of 350 people and the evacuation of nearly 400,000.
The volcano had a large eruption in 2010, with its most recent being in May 2018.
The year was one of the worst for the region which was also struck with more than 11,550 volcanic earthquakes that left many people dead or homeless.
Earlier in 2019, a river of lava flowed for around 4,593 feet down the volcano’s slopes, which authorities dubbed an “effusive eruption phase”.
Indonesia is home to several volcanos including the infamous Krakatoa.
There are in total 120 active volcanos in Indonesia, which also sees some of the worst earthquakes in the world on a regular basis making it one of the more volatile areas to live.
Earthquakes are put down to Indonesia location on the so-called Ring of Fire, a direct result of plate tectonics where movements trigger shock tremors.
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