Inp.polri.go.id - Yogyakarta. Mount Merapi, straddling the Central Java and Yogyakarta borders, erupted 21 times on Thursday, sending lava flows up to 1.5 kilometers towards Kali Bebeng on Thursday (3/10/2024).

Agus Budi Santoso, the Head of Yogyakarta’s Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG), confirmed the activity, which was observed from midnight to 6 am local time.

 “There were 21 lava flows, reaching up to 1,500 meters,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Mount Merapi also recorded 40 volcanic tremors, with amplitudes ranging from 3 to 21 mm, lasting up to 146 seconds. Thin white smoke was seen rising 150 meters above the crater.

The volcano remains at Alert Level III. The BPPTKG advises against activities within hazard zones, including areas near Boyong River (up to five kilometers) and Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng Rivers (up to seven kilometers).

If an explosive eruption occurs, volcanic debris could be ejected within a three-kilometer radius from the summit. Residents and visitors were urged to stay vigilant and follow safety instructions.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)