Updates on Mount Merapi Activities

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 040.Pers/04/SJI/2021

Date: 28 January 2021

Updates on Mount Merapi Activities

Head of the Geological Agency, Eko Budi Lelono, on Thursday (28/1) has published the monitoring results by the Office for the Research and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG), the Geological Agency of Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) on the latest activities of Mount Merapi. The volcano is located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta Provinces.

"On Wednesday 27 January 2021, there were 52 pyroclastic flows with a maximum flow distance of 3 km southwest, especially to the headwaters of Boyong and Krasak rivers. Ashfall was reported in several areas, which is natural, because smooth materials from the eruption may be carried by the wind away, " Eko stated in the press release.

Mount Merapi's volcanic activities have increased since October 2020. The Geological Agency raised the volcano's alert level from Watch to Warning on 5 November 2020. On 4 January 2021, Mount Merapi produced an effusive eruption marked with a non-moving fire near the 1997 Lava.

"Mount Merapi has unique eruption characteristics called the 'Merapi Type' with activities such as lava dome growth, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows," continued Eko.

On 7 January 2021, the first pyroclastic flow in the year 2021 was emitted. Until the time of writing, 95 pyroclastic flows have been recorded with a maximum flow distance of 3 km from the crater. The distance is still within the hazard recommendation issued by the BPPTKG-PVMBG-Geological Agency, that is, maximum 5 km from the crater.

Based on the above data, Eko continued, Mount Merapi activities until 28 January 2021 are still considered high with the main activities of pyroclastic and lava flows. Seismic data is dominated by tremors caused by flow activities, while deformation rate as recorded by Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) tends to lower.

The BPPTKG has continued to mitigate Mount Merapi hazards through monitoring, hazard assessment, and dissemination of the volcano's current activities. The public are warned to stay alert to the possibility of lahar danger, especially during heavy rains, stay away from the hazard area, and update the recent information and recommendation from the BPPTKG, local governments, and the local disaster mitigation agency (BPBD). (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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