Mount Merapi Erupts In Indonesia, Smoke And Ash Take Over Villages

Indonesia is known as the land with the most active volcanoes in the world. The land witnessed the massive volcanic eruption of Mount Merapi on March 11. Ash covered the communities close to the crater, and thick plumes of smoke filled the air. The last major eruption that took place here was back in 2010, which resulted in 347 people losing their lives. 

Massive Volcanic Eruption Of Mount Merapi 

Mount Merapi in Indonesia exploded, spewing smoke and ash into the air. The ash plume from the volcano, according to the Merapi Volcano Observatory, rose to a height of 9,600 feet (3,000 metres). Molten lava trickled down the slopes for up to 7 kilometres as a consequence of the eruption on Java Island. 

 In addition, warm clouds appeared up to 100 metres in the sky, according to Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Management Agency’s spokesperson. In order to protect the locals, authorities established a restricted region seven kilometres from the crater. As per the information provided by the spokesperson, the public is urged to halt all activities in the region that could be dangerous due to the Mount Merapi eruption. 

🇮🇩 In Indonesia, on the island of Java, a third level of danger has been introduced after the eruption of Mount Merapi.

Lava flows from the crater spread over a distance of 1.5 km, and a column of smoke rose to a height of 7 km. pic.twitter.com/rll8zrHUlg

— marina alikantes (@Marianna9110) March 11, 2023

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By Far 8 Villages Are Affected

Residents were warned to anticipate brief ash-related disruptions, even though there were no fatalities as a result of the eruption. Additionally, the people were already cautioned about the potential for volcanic mudflow, which is a phenomenon that occurs if it rains near the volcano. The volcanic ash has by far affected eight villages that are situated nearby Mount Merapi, where the eruption took place. 

 Indonesia is home to over 130 active volcanoes. The reason behind this is that it is located on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, geologically. Here the continental plates meet, which results in volcanic activity and heightened seismic activity. Last year in March, about 250 people had to be evacuated overnight because of multiple eruptions. 

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Did you know about the 2010 eruptions?

Cover Image Courtesy: Unsplash