Volcanic eruption in Indonesia: Mount Merapi spews lava and ash – hundreds flee

Created: 03/10/2022 11:29 am

By: Patrick Huljina

It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and is considered one of the most active in the world: Mount Merapi.

The more than 2900 meter high stratovolcano has erupted.

Jakarta - There are almost 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia*.

The Southeast Asian island state lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire.

Several tectonic plates meet there and seismic activity is particularly high.

Therefore, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur comparatively frequently.

On the night of Thursday (March 10) the Merapi volcano on the Indonesian island of Java erupted.

Hundreds of people have already had to flee.

Volcanic eruption in Indonesia: Mount Merapi spews lava and ash – hundreds flee

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

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

The hot clouds rising from Mount Merapi colored the sky red on Thursday.

During the night, the volcano erupted several times, emitting gas and ash as well as debris that, according to the civil protection authority, flew up to five kilometers.

So far, more than 250 residents have had to get to safety, Muhari explained.

An exclusion zone has been set up around the volcano in a radius of five kilometers.

Local residents have been asked to leave this area around Mount Merapi.

According to the information, the smoke from the volcano reached almost 35 kilometers away from the cultural metropolis of Yogyakarta on the densely populated island of Java.

The Merapi volcano erupted on Thursday night.

© Ranto Kresek/dpa

Merapi volcano on Java: Stratovolcano one of the most active in the world - last major eruption in 2010

Mount Merapi is the most active volcano in Indonesia and is considered one of the most active in the world.

It is more than 2900 meters high and 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.

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Since November 2020, the second highest warning level has applied to Mount Merapi.

The last major eruption of the volcano was twelve years ago - it happened in 2010. At that time, more than 340 people died and around 280,000 residents had to leave their homes.

At the beginning of 2022, a gigantic volcanic eruption* occurred in the South Pacific off Tonga.

In Europe, too, volcanoes spew lava and ash again and again.

Last year, an outbreak on La Palma lasted for weeks*.

A few weeks ago, lava fountains* shot into the sky from Mount Etna in Sicily.