Exclusion zone after volcanic eruption in Indonesia: Mount Merapi volcano spews lava and ash

Created: 03/10/2022 07:16

By: Isabel Wetzel

The Indonesian volcano Merapi spat out avalanches of hot clouds on Thursday night.

About 250 residents were forced to flee to emergency shelters.

© Ranto Kresek/dpa

Hundreds of people have had to leave their homes because of a volcanic eruption on the Indonesian island of Java.

A restricted zone has been set up around Mount Merapi volcano.

Jakarta – The Merapi volcano on the Indonesian island of Java erupted on Thursday night (March 10th, 2022) and forced numerous people to flee their homes.

A mixture of hot lava, ash and gases was pouring down the southeastern slope of the mountain, said Abdul Muhari, spokesman for the national civil protection agency.

In addition, a rain of ash fell on several villages.

More than 250 residents had to get to safety.

An exclusion zone has been set up around the volcano in a five-kilometer radius.

The more than 2900 meter high Merapi is a so-called stratovolcano.

When an eruption occurs, a mixture of dust, rock, lava and hot gas often flows down the valleys.

The chances of escaping these rapidly flowing clouds of embers are slim.

The deadly currents can rush kilometers down the valley before they come to a standstill.

Volcanic eruption in Indonesia: No fatalities reported

Mount Merapi is the most active volcano in Indonesia.

It is about 35 kilometers north of the city of Yogyakarta.

A severe outbreak in 2010 killed more than 340 people* and tens of thousands fled.

There are nearly 130 active volcanoes nationwide.

The island nation of Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for seismic tremors.

According to the information, no fatalities have been reported in the current eruption of the Mount Merapi volcano.

Only a few months ago, the Semeru volcano on the island of Java erupted*.

At least 34 people lost their lives.

(iwe/dpa)