Mount Merapi spews hot lava amid rising volcanic activity

Mount Merapi, located between Central Java and Yogyakarta, spewed hot lava for six times with maximum distance of 600 meter toward southwest on Monday (January 18, 2021), as seen from Wonorejo District in Sleman, Yogyakarta, according to the Geological Disaster Research and Technology Development Centre (BPPTKG). During the observation period from 6 to 12.a.m local time, the BPPTKG also recorded one huge ash cloud at height of up 50 meters above the crater peak and with maximum distance 1 kilometer.

Villagers watched as huge ash cloud rise from the crater of Mount Merapi during an eruption seen from Wonorejo District in Sleman, Yogyakarta on Monday (January 18, 2021). The Geological Disaster Research and Technology Development Centre (BPPTKG) maintains the status of Mount Merapi at Level III or Alert with the potential danger due to its eruption is estimated to be within a maximun radius of five kilometers from the summit.

A local officer in Wonorejo District, Sleman, Yogyakarta, monitored the incandescent lava spewed out from Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia active volcano, on Monday (January 18, 2021). Mount Merapi's last major eruption in 2010 killed more than 300 people and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.