At least 29 dead as Mount Merapi threatens region with over 24 million cubic feet of lava

At least 29 dead as Mount Merapi threatens region with over 24 million cubic feet of lava

2010-10-28 00:18:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 29 people have died as Mount Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java continues to spew clouds of ash, threatening the region with 7.5 million cubic meters (24.5 million cubic feet) of lava, officials said on Wednesday.

There is still danger of further eruptions as clouds of ash have been spewing out of Mount Merapi, which literally translates to 'Mountain of Fire'. It is one of the country's most active volcanoes.

The eruption began at around 5.50 p.m. local time on Tuesday when three loud explosions rocked the mountain, spewing volcanic ashes into the sky. A day earlier, scientists had raised the alert level to its highest level after white clouds of smoke began pouring out of the mountain, signaling an imminent eruption.

Authorities said more than 50,000 people could be in danger if the volcano erupted, and urged residents to move to safer ground immediately. However, many locals refused to evacuate, saying it was too soon.

"Until this moment, the status is still of caution," said Subandrio, who heads the regional volcanic investigation department in Yogyakarta, explaining that this year's Merapi eruptions have differed from previous ones as it has formed a new dome of lava.

"The pyroclastic eruption at Mount Merapi this year has been a direct blast sprayed from the inside, which has horizontal movements," Subandrio added, saying the department is closely monitoring the lava dome.

Subandrio explained that the material at the peak of the volcano is still intact, but with further activity, the material could collapse, becoming a huge threat. If the emergence of the lava dome forms in an unstable position, a collapse could threaten the Merapi's surroundings with 7.5 million cubic meters (24.5 million cubic feet) of lava.

As of Wednesday, Indonesian officials confirmed at least 29 people had been killed. Among those who died is a local journalist, while scores of others have been injured.

The last notable eruption occurred in 2006, when several people were killed. Before that, major eruptions took place in 1006, 1786, 1822, 1872, and 1930. The 1930 eruption left at least 1,400 people killed.

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