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Report on Merapi (Indonesia) — 19 July-25 July 2006


Merapi

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 19 July-25 July 2006
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2006. Report on Merapi (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 19 July-25 July 2006. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (19 July-25 July 2006)

Merapi

Indonesia

7.54°S, 110.446°E; summit elev. 2910 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


During 19-25 July, gas plumes at Merapi reached maximum heights of 400 m above the summit (11,000 ft a.s.l.). Lava flows were observed daily, advancing at a maximum distance of 1.5 km SE toward the Gendol River. Pyroclastic flows were not observed during the reporting period. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4).

Geological Summary. Merapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, lies in one of the world's most densely populated areas and dominates the landscape immediately north of the major city of Yogyakarta. It is the youngest and southernmost of a volcanic chain extending NNW to Ungaran volcano. Growth of Old Merapi during the Pleistocene ended with major edifice collapse perhaps about 2,000 years ago, leaving a large arcuate scarp cutting the eroded older Batulawang volcano. Subsequent growth of the steep-sided Young Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to frequent activity, began SW of the earlier collapse scarp. Pyroclastic flows and lahars accompanying growth and collapse of the steep-sided active summit lava dome have devastated cultivated lands on the western-to-southern flanks and caused many fatalities.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)