Merapi spews lava, shows usual eruption characteristics

Mount Merapi, which erupted Tuesday afternoon killing at least 33 people, spewed lava on Friday, showing a return to its usual eruption characteristics, an official said.

The lava first began spewing on Thursday afternoon.

Volcanic activity should decline after the lava release, Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) chief Surono said.

However, the volcano’s status remained on high alert and the area remains restricted, Kompas.com reported.

Merapi showed different eruption characteristics Tuesday.  

Mount Merapi used to be considered a “non-explosive” volcano. This was characterized by a slow expulsion of lava in 2006, Yogyakarta Volcanic Investigation and Development Center (BPPTK) chief Subandrio said.  

However, the volcano turned explosive on Tuesday afternoon when it propelled blasts of hot ash 1.5 kilometers in to the sky, an unusual display for Merapi.