Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano erupted Saturday, sending an avalanche of gas clouds and lava onto the surrounding villages.
The Associated Press reports the head of Yogyakarta’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center confirmed the eruption resulted in the biggest lava flow from Mount Merapi since 2020. In addition, it was the volcano’s most powerful eruption since 1930, when about 1,300 people were killed.
Mount Merapi, a 9,737-foot mountain that is located about 18 miles from Yogyakarta, last erupted in 2010, claiming the lives of more than 300 people while forcing the evacuation of some 280,000 residents.
Following the eruption, the surrounding areas have not yet been evacuated. However, authorities have urged residents to “stop any activities in the potential danger area.”
“This has only been observed as one time event, there have been five-six avalanches. If the coverage continue to increase and the distance is further than seven kilometres, it is likely that the residents will be recommended to evacuate,” a spokesperson told NBC News.
Mount Merapi’s eruption was expected by experts, as the volcano’s alert status has been at the second-highest level since 2020 after scientists had discovered renewed activity.
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