Indonesia’s Mount Merapi volcano erupts, spews hot lava

Merapi also erupted last week, sending volcanic material 9,600 feet (3,000 metres) above the summit.

Indonesia’s Mount Merapi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted late on March 17 and continued to spew hot ash and other volcanic material on March 18, 2023.

Footage of flaming lava pouring out of the crater and a tall column of hot cloud rising 1,300 metres into the air was taken by the government-run Merapi Volcano Observatory on Friday night.

The volcano continued to spew hot ash and hot lava was visible on Saturday.

“Residents should anticipate the disruption due to the volcanic ash from Mount Merapi eruption and please be on alert for the danger of volcanic mudflow, especially when it rains around Merapi,” the country’s volcanology agency said in a statement Saturday.

Merapi also erupted last week, sending volcanic material 9,600 feet (3,000 metres) above the summit.

Volcanic ash rain blanketed at least eight villages near the volcano after last week’s eruption.

Volcanologists said last week the volcano is experiencing its most active phase since 2021.