Indonesia's Mount Merapi, located on the island of Java and one of the world's most active and dangerous volcanoes, erupted at 12:12 pm on Saturday, gushing out smoke and ash that fully covered villages near the crater. The smoke reached 9,600 feet above the summit. Areas under seven kilometers from the crater have been restricted. Almost eight villages near the volcano have been affected by volcanic ash. Since the villagers were already evacuated from the area, none of them have been injured or affected by it.
The volcano is a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is an area of frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
Merapi has erupted many times in recorded history, with the most recent major eruption occurring in 2018. The volcano is monitored closely by Indonesian authorities, and evacuation plans are in place in case of a major eruption.
The eruptions of Merapi can be highly destructive and deadly, with lava flows, pyroclastic flows (a fast-moving mixture of hot gas and volcanic materials), and ash plumes all posing a threat to nearby communities. The 2010 eruption of Merapi was particularly devastating, killing over 300 people and causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
Despite the danger, many people continue to live on the slopes of Merapi due to the fertile soil and rich agricultural opportunities it provides. The Indonesian government and international organizations work to educate people living near the volcano about the risks and how to prepare for potential eruptions.
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