Indonesia: Mount Merapi volcano erupts near Yogyakarta March 27 /update 2

Event

On Friday, March 27, Mount Merapi, located approximately 30 km (18 mi) north of Yogyakarta, erupted at around 10:56 (local time) sending ash 5 km (3 mi) into the sky and coating the local area with ash and sand. Authorities did not raise the volcano's alert status, which remains at Caution (level II) following the eruption, but have advised individuals to stay outside of a 3 km (2 mi) radius of Merapi.

Further eruptions are possible over the coming hours and days, along with associated transportation disruptions.

Context

Mount Merapi's last eruption was on March 3, prompting government officials to establish a 3 km (2 mi) exclusion zone and temporarily closing the Adi Sumarmo International Airport (SOC).

Mount Merapi's last major eruption in 2010 killed more than 300 people and forced the evacuation of 280,000 residents.

Advice

Individuals in the affected area are advised to avoid the vicinity of the volcano, monitor the situation, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders).