S

ince it was declared under alert status on Sept. 23, 2010, Mount Merapi has continued to show increasing volcanic activity.

According to head of the Volcanic Technology Development and Research Center (BPPTK) Yogyakarta, Subandrio, Merapi, which borders Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces, it has been changing form as a result of pressure from its magma fluid, which is seeking a way out.

“The deforming is speeding up. It swells every day,” Subandrio said.

He added that compared to the deformation the volcano experienced ahead of the latest 2006 eruptions, which claimed two lives, the deformation this time was more rapid as shown on the four reflectors installed at its peak.

The BPPTK has installed a total of 16 reflectors at the peak of Mt. Merapi, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, to help monitor its volcanic activities.

Deformation, according to Subandrio, occurs because of the movement of magma fluid, both in the form of liquid and gas, which pushes volcanic rocks upward to the peak.

“Merapi is getting fatter, like a person that is fed too much food,” he said, adding that the changing form of the volcano currently had reached 9 centimeters but the direction was still unpredictable.

Subandrio also said that the prediction regarding Merapi’s eruption cannot be made as the time needed by the magma to reach the peak and to form a lava dome and then to erupt cannot be predicted as well.

“It’s different from Mt. Kelud in [East Java], in which the magma pressure would prompt eruptions. For Merapi it is difficult to predict as anything is possible,” he explained.

Because Merapi’s eruption process is very complex and anything is possible, Subandrio warned, preparedness from both the local administrations and community is urgent and has to be well planned.

“People living on the slopes of Merapi have to be very cautious as quick changes in volcanic activity is possible although it remains on alert status,” he said.

BPPTK’s observation data Tuesday shows the volcano experienced 201 mass phase earthquakes (MP), 5 inner volcanic earthquakes (VA), 18 shallow volcanic earthquakes (VB) and 52 lava materials spewing.

People living on the slope of the volcano have been told to prepare for the worst.

“[The people’s] activities remain normal but alertness must be increased and coordination must be undertaken in case of disaster,” said Heri Suprapto, head of Kepuharjo subdistrict, Cangkringan district, Sleman regency, located Merapi’s slopes.