No. 55/MC.TDBM/11/2010

PRESS RELEASE

No. 55/MC.TDBM/11/2010

FOG KEEPS COVERING THE TOP OF MERAPI

Yogyakarta, 21/11 (09:01 WIB) Eruption with low intensity keeps occurring on MErapi until Sunday (21/11) morning. The observation done by Research and Volcanic Technology Development (BPPTK) recorded two times of tectonic earthquake, one time lava flow tremor, two time tectonic earthquake, and consecutive tremor.

Data from BPPTK tiltmeter shows the existence of fluctuative deformation, but there is no significant sign of soil augmentation. While geodetic Global Positioning System (GPS) showed soil descent on the southeast side foot of Merapi.

The weather is foggy since Saturday (20/11) to Sunday (21/11) morning covering the tip of Merapi. A white cloud with high pressure was also observed with elevation of 600 meter and 800 meter and it was moving towards southwest at dawn.

The Head of Volcanology and Mitigation, Dr. Surono, in his report, still suggests Merapi to be in Level 4 (AWAS), with secondary threat in the form of heat cloud and cold lava. The recommended safe distance from Merapi remain the same, which is 10 Km on west of Sleman, 15 km on east of Sleman, 10 km at Magelang, Boyolali 5 km, and Kleten 10 km.

The possibility of the thread of heat cloud affected area is still the main concern of the center. Therefore the center is coordinating with the local government in regards of evacuation scheme when such threat happens.

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