Merapi volcano (Java, Indonesia): risk of pyroclastic flows remains high, field report

Glowing dome blocks have been descending from the SW lava dome yesterday (image: Andi/VolcanoDiscovery Indonesia)

The intense activity of the volcano continues.

Large glowing avalanches continue to be observed detaching from the southwestern lava dome at roughly frequent intervals of 5 to 10 minutes, Andi reported. A sliding distance usually has reached approx. 2 km length descending to the base of the edifice.

Therefore, risk of yet another dangerous, turbulent hot avalanche of lava rock fragments of all sizes embedded in a mixture of turbulent gas and ash racing down slopes remains high.

The alert level for the volcano remains at Level 3.

Hot rock falls from the SW lava dome are visible from space, as well (image: Sentinel-2)

Hot rock falls from the SW lava dome are visible from space, as well (image: Sentinel-2)