REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- Mount Merapi, bordering Yogyakarta and Central Java, generated incandescent lava avalanches thrice during the six-hour observation period from 00.00 to 6.00 am Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB), Saturday, Center for Investigation and Development of Geological Disaster Technology (BPPTKG) reported.

BPPTKG Head Hanik Humaida noted in his official statement that three incandescent lava avalanches were produced during the period, with a maximum sliding distance of 950 meters leading up to Kali Gendol. Furthermore, during that period, earthquakes measuring amplitudes of two to 70 mm were recorded seven times, lasting between 30.3 and 95.7 seconds. 

A multiphase earthquake of 12-mm amplitude for a duration of 13.6 seconds was recorded. Visual observations indicated that the Merapi's crater bellowed white smoke, with moderate intensity, rising 25 meters high above its peak.

Weak winds blew over the mountain in the southwest and west directions. Air temperatures were recorded between 17.6 and 20.9 degrees Celsius, air humidity of 72-98 percent, and air pressure, 568.7-709.2 mmHg. The BPPTKG has, until now, not changed the status of Mount Merapi at Level II, or Alert.

BPPTKG temporarily bans climbing activities. Climbing only fot the case of investigation and research linked to disaster mitigation. BPPTKG has called on residents to avoid engaging in activities within a three-kilometer radius of the summit of Mount Merapi.

The BPPTKG has appealed to residents in the Kali Gendol channel to maintain vigil on the extent to which the hot clouds from Merapi will drift. The community was also called on to remain calm regarding issues on Mount Merapi's eruption, whose sources remain ambiguous.

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