13 Feb 2020 | 08:29 PM UTC
Indonesia: Mount Merapi volcano erupts February 13
Mount Merapi volcano, north of Yogyakarta, erupts on February 13; avoid the area
Event
Mount Merapi, located approximately 30 km (18 mi) north of Yogyakarta, erupted around 05:16 (local time) on Thursday, February 13, spewing ash 2 km (1.2 mi) into the sky. Authorities did not raise the volcano's alert status in the wake of the explosion, though commercial planes have been advised to take caution in the area. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has advised residents to stay outside a 3 km (1.8 mi) radius of Merapi.
Further eruptions are possible in the coming hours and days.
Advice
Individuals present in the affected area are advised to avoid the vicinity of the volcano, monitor the situation, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders).