The Merapi Volcano, located in West Sumatra, Indonesia, erupted on Sunday, unleashing ash plumes that soared over 3,000 meters into the sky. The eruption sent hot ash clouds several miles north, as reported by Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.
Merapi volcano-Source: Sky News
Authorities have established a no-entry zone around the crater of Merapi, which stands at a height of 2,891 meters, raising the alert to the third-highest level. Despite no immediate reports of casualties or damage, 42 hikers in the region remain unaccounted for.
Erupsi gunung merapi di propinsi Sumatera Barat #Indonesia 🇮🇩
03/12/2023#volcano pic.twitter.com/oMdQxth2BY— Indonesia Weather & Disaster (@IndoTropical) December 3, 2023
🚨🚨 BREAKING: Mount Marapi in Indonesia erupts violently, spewing colossal ash plumes over 9,800 feet into the sky.#earthquake #mount #Indonesia #lava
pic.twitter.com/bhaMH8t5aj— 𝖂𝖆𝖖𝖆𝖘 𝕾𝖎𝖆𝖑 (@waqas_sial007) December 3, 2023
According to the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency, 70 people had registered to enter Merapi since Saturday via an online booking system. Ahmed Rivandi, an official at the Merapi Monitoring Center, confirmed that no injuries have been reported. Villagers have been advised to stay at least 3 kilometers away from the volcano’s crater and to be aware of potential lava flows.
Abdul Mahar, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency, noted that several villages have been covered in falling ash. The volcano’s alert status remains at the second-highest level, with authorities closely monitoring increased activity detected in recent weeks.
Tsunami Assessment by Japan
The Japanese Meteorological Agency is assessing the potential for a tsunami in Japan due to Merapi’s volcanic activity. Indonesia, home to over 120 active volcanoes, is prone to seismic disturbances due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
Historical Context of Merapi’s Eruptions
The last major eruption of Merapi occurred in 2010, resulting in over 300 deaths and the displacement of around 280,000 people. This was its most violent eruption since 1930, which claimed approximately 1,300 lives. Another eruption in 1994 caused around 60 fatalities.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Volcano | Merapi Volcano, West Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Eruption Date | Sunday |
| Ash Plume Height | Over 3,000 meters |
| No-Entry Zone | 3 kilometers from crater |
| Missing Hikers | 42 |
| Previous Major Eruption | 2010 (Over 300 deaths, 280,000 displaced) |
| Geological Location | Pacific “Ring of Fire” |
