Block-and-ash flows branched off into two main arms in the S (right) and SW (left) direction today (image: Andi/VolcanoDiscovery Indonesia)
The phase of the intense activity has been continuing over the past two weeks.
Near-frequent glowing lava blocks continue to regularly detach from the southwestern lava dome and tumble down along the main sliding southwestern slope, descending to the base of the edifice and reaching approx. 2 km length. By today, the main sliding pathway has branched off into another sliding arm in the south direction as glowing rock falls roll down over it. From time to time, phoenix clouds are being formed – lifted ash plumes rising above pyroclastic torrent as descending the flank.
The strong thermal anomaly at Merapi, acquired by the Sentinel-2 satellite on 24 March, finds in glowing lava blocks in the SW direction (image: Sentinel-2)