Mount Merapi in Indonesia, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted Tuesday, spewing molten lava and ash within a two-kilometer radius, local authorities reported.
An impressive stream of glowing lava also escapes from its crater, according to photos shared by the Merapi Volcano Observatory, a public body.
“The activity of Merapi has increased a bit in the last few days […]”But Mount Merapi is used to this resurgence in activity,” said Agus Budi Santoso, head of another government agency responsible for monitoring the volcano (BPPTKG).
“Coincidentally, the weather was clear and therefore the population could see the lava flows,” added Mr. Santoso.
Mount Merapi, located 28 km north of the provincial capital Jogjakarta, is under strict surveillance.
Volcanic material, including lava, was ejected up to two kilometers from the volcano on Tuesday, within the seven-kilometer containment zone authorities established around the volcano in 2022.
The second highest alert level since 2020 applies to Mount Merapi, which erupted in mid-March due to increased volcanic activity.
The last major eruption of this volcano in 2010 killed more than 300 people and evacuated 280,000 people.
It was the most violent episode since the 1930 eruption, which claimed around 1,300 lives. Another eruption in 1994 killed around 60 people.
In Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and islets on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” there are nearly 130 active volcanoes.