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Report on Merapi (Indonesia) — 5 May-11 May 2021


Merapi

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 5 May-11 May 2021
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2021. Report on Merapi (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 5 May-11 May 2021. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (5 May-11 May 2021)

Merapi

Indonesia

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


BPPTKG reported that the lava dome just below Merapi’s SW rim and the lava dome in the summit crater both continued to extrude lava during 30 April-6 May. The SW rim lava-dome volume was an estimated 1.1 million cubic meters on 2 May, with a growth rate of about 17,000 cubic meters per day, and continued to shed material down the flank. A total of 12 pyroclastic flows traveled a maximum of 2 km down the SW flank. Incandescent avalanches, recorded 74 times, traveled as far as 2 km down the SW flank and twice went 600 m SE. The volume of the summit lava dome was 1.7 million cubic meters on 2 May, with a growth rate of about 14,000 cubic meters per day. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) data showed a distance shortening between points in the NW at a rate of 0.6 cm per day, indicating minor inflation. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 5 km away from the summit.

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: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG)