Indonesia´s most volatile volcano erupted Tuesday by Zuzana Zelenakova

Mount Merapi, located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is the most active volcano in Indonesia erupting regularly since 16th century. Some time ago, scientists informed the public about an increasing seismicity from the volcano that has been first recorded in early September. On 25 October 2010 the Indonesian government raised the alert concerning Mount Merapi to the highest level,4 , and prompted villagers to retreat to safe distance. People living within 10 km from the volcano were evacuated. However, there were many of those who refused to leave and simply continued their everyday activities working the fields. So far, the eruption claimed a! t least 28 lives, most of them due to burns and respiratory failure caused by the ashes. Among the dead was also an elder, Mbah Marijan, known as the volcano´s spiritual gatekeeper. However, the scientists fear the worst might not still be over. There is danger of the volcano releasing deadly gases and debris. "It's a little calmer today," said Surono, the chief of Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. "No hot clouds, no rumbling. But a lot of energy is pent up back there. There's no telling what's next." Up to present day, Mount Merapi has already claimed many lives. In 1994, 64 people were killed. In 1930, 13 villages were destroyed and more than 1,400 people died. On Wednesday, many evacuated people returned to their homes to continue their daily activities despite officials´ warnings. "We'll do everything we can to stop them," said Hadi Purnomo, the district chief in the town of Sleman. "There's no life there. The trees, farms, houses are s! corched. Everything is covered in heavy gray ash." Indonesia h! as more active volcanoes than any other country. Mount Tambora, for example, is known for the most violent eruption in history in 1815.

related story (sgx18493): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101026/ap_on_sc/as_indonesia_vo...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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