Merapi Activity Decreases
Tuesday, 13 June, 2006 | 16:31 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta: The spewing of Mount Merapi's hot ash is decreasing. During between 12 and 6.00 a.m. Indonesia Western Time, Mount Merapi only discharged hot ash three times, compared to the previous day of about six times.

The data from Mount Merapi observation posts has shown that the hot ash traveled less distance than previously. The previous day it reached 3.5 kilometers, but it only went 1.5 kilometers yesterday (12/6). The hot ash is heading toward the River Gendol in the Cangkringan District, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta.

Subandriyo, Mount Merapi Section Head of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Volcanic Technology (BPPTK) at Yogyakarta, said that the decrease in Mount Merapi’s activity shows that the lava dome's position in 2006 is becoming stable. However, the alert status of Mount Merapi continues to be maintained since hot ash is still being emitted .

Syaiful Amin