Indonesia's Merapi volcano erupts, spewing hot ash

Source: Xinhua| 2023-03-11 17:20:15|Editor: huaxia

Volcanic materials spew out from Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, March 11, 2023. As one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center reported. (Photo by Agung Supriyanto/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) reported.

"The volcano erupted on Saturday at 12:12 midday local time," said head of BPPTKG Agus Budi Santoso in a written statement, adding that during the past week, the BPPTKG recorded the Merapi Mount had spewed hot lava 19 times and caused 553 volcanic earthquakes.

The authorities have urged people to avoid hazardous zone within a 7-km radius of the peak and to avoid rivers originating from Merapi, such as Krasak and Bebeng.

As one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, Mount Merapi is located at the border between Central Java province and the special region of Yogyakarta. The volcano has been on level 3 alert for the past months due to frequent eruptions. Level 3 means there is a possibility that a volcanic eruption which can seriously impact the surrounding areas could occur.

In 2010, the eruption of Mount Merapi killed more than 200 people and displaced many others. ■

Volcanic materials spewed out from Mount Merapi are seen at a nearby village in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, March 11, 2023. As one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center reported. (Photo by Agung Supriyanto/Xinhua)

People look at erupting Mount Merapi volcano in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, March 11, 2023. As one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center reported. (Photo by Agung Supriyanto/Xinhua)

Volcanic materials spew out from Mount Merapi in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, March 11, 2023. As one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center reported. (Photo by Priyo Utomo/Xinhua)

A man rides on a road at a residential area covered with volcanic materials after Mount Merapi volcano erupted in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, March 11, 2023. As one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center reported. (Photo by Priyo Utomo/Xinhua)

Plants are covered by volcanic materials after Mount Merapi volcano erupted in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, March 11, 2023. As one of Indonesia's most active volcanos, Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center reported. (Photo by Priyo Utomo/Xinhua)

This photo taken in Purwobinangun village of Sleman district, Yogyakarta, Indonesia shows Mount Merapi spewing volcanic materials on March 12, 2023. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) reported. (Photo by Budi Siswanto/Xinhua)

This photo taken in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia shows Mount Merapi spewing volcanic materials on March 12, 2023. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) reported. (Photo by Priyo Utomo/Xinhua)

(230312) -- BOYOLALI, March 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Plants are covered by volcanic materials after Mount Merapi volcano erupted in Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia, March 12, 2023. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) reported. (Photo by Bram Selo/Xinhua)

A man takes photos as volcanic materials are spewed from Mount Merapi volcano in Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia, March 12, 2023. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) reported. (Photo by Bram Selo/Xinhua)

A farmer picks red chili in her field as volcanic materials are spewed from Mount Merapi volcano in Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia, March 12, 2023. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) reported. (Photo by Bram Selo/Xinhua)

A man holds his phone as volcanic materials are spewed from Mount Merapi volcano in Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia, March 12, 2023. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano erupted on Saturday, spewing volcanic ash to several villages nearby, the country's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) reported. (Photo by Bram Selo/Xinhua)