Volcano Erupts in Indonesia; Lava Spreads 2 Km from Crater

Indonesia’s Mount Merapi erupted on Tuesday. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Lava from Mount Merapi spread more than two kilometres from the crater.

According to the Centre for Research and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG), an Indonesian government agency that monitors the volcano, dozens of small tremors related to Merapi’s eruption were experienced on Tuesday.

Images of lava pouring from the volcano’s smoking crater were published by the government-run Merapi Volcano Observatory. Mount Merapi is closely monitored by the agency.

Authorities implemented a restriction zone of seven kilometres in 2022 following a risk assessment for the surrounding villages. Lava from Merapi’s eruption on Tuesday fell well within that zone

Mount Merapi’s last major eruption in 2010 killed more than 300 people and led to the evacuation of around three lakh residents. Mt Merapi’s most powerful eruption occurred in 1930 when about 1,300 people were killed.