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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Mount Merapi Remains Active Despite Calm Appearance, Officials Warn

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Mount Merapi remains on alert status (Level III) despite appearing calm, with volcanic activity continuing beneath the surface.
  • In the week of June 26 to July 2, 2026, the volcano produced four pyroclastic flows, with more occurring in early July.
  • Officials urge caution, warning that the volcano's calm appearance can be deceptive and that explosive eruptions can occur suddenly.

Mount Merapi, located on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta, remains on alert status (Level III), indicating that it is not as calm as it may appear. The Yogyakarta Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (BPPTKG) reported that during the period of June 26 to July 2, 2026, the volcano spewed four pyroclastic flows, with one more on July 3 and three on July 4, the furthest reaching 2,000 meters.

So Mount Merapi does appear calm, but that doesn't mean it's okay.

— Agus Budi SantosoHead of BPPTKG Yogyakarta, explaining the volcano's current status.

Agus Budi Santoso, head of BPPTKG Yogyakarta, emphasized that the volcano's current quiet state does not mean it is safe. He addressed public concerns about the conditions, particularly regarding climbing activities, which have been closed since November 2020. "Lava avalanches, pyroclastic flows, and volcanic earthquakes continue to occur within Merapi's interior, and the threat of explosive eruptions can still arise suddenly and unexpectedly," Agus stated.

He advised the public and tourists visiting the Merapi area to seek accurate information for their safety, rather than being solely drawn by scenic views. "The most dangerous aspect of Mount Merapi is often not when it appears to be erupting, but when everything seems ordinary," Agus warned, highlighting that the volcano's visual appearance can be deceiving. Absolute vigilance is necessary for anyone in the disaster-prone area for collective safety.

Lava avalanches, pyroclastic flows, and volcanic earthquakes continue to occur within Merapi's interior, and the threat of explosive eruptions can still arise suddenly and unexpectedly.

— Agus Budi SantosoExplaining the ongoing volcanic threats despite the calm appearance.

Observations from June 26 to July 2 revealed four pyroclastic flows with a maximum distance of 2,000 meters towards Kali Krasak and Kali Sat (Putih). Lava avalanches were also visually confirmed, with numerous flows recorded towards Kali Boyong, Kali Krasak, Kali Bebeng, and Kali Sat, all reaching up to 2,000 meters. Internal seismic activity was also noted as significantly high during this period, exceeding that of the previous week.

The most dangerous aspect of Mount Merapi is often not when it appears to be erupting, but when everything seems ordinary.

— Agus Budi SantosoWarning about the deceptive nature of the volcano's appearance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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