[Kabar-indonesia] Experts consider reducing Merapi volcano alert

[Joyo at aol.com]

Experts consider reducing Indonesian volcano alert

JAKARTA, July 1 (AFP) -- Activity at Indonesia's Mount
Merapi has been decreasing and officials are reviewing
the volcano's top alert status, a scientist said
Saturday.

"There's a trend of decreased activity but Merapi
still emits lava trails," said Hani Prabawati from the
vulcanology office in Yogyakarta, the main city south
of Merapi.

No clouds of hot gas were seen early Saturday, she
said.

"We are reviewing the situation," she said, when asked
if the current top alert level would be lowered.

Merapi was placed on red alert on May 13 and clouds of
hot gas and ash have since erupted intermittently from
its peak along with burning lava flows.

Two people were killed last month when they were
trapped in an emergency bunker under volcanic debris
carried by the searing clouds.

Merapi's increased activity forced the evacuation of
15,000 villagers, but many of them have now returned.

The volcano's deadliest eruption was in 1930 when more
than 1,300 people were killed.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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