2010 eruptions of Mount Merapi
In late October 2010, Mount Merapi in border of Central Java and Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia began an increasingly violent series of eruptions that continued into November. Seismic activity around the volcano increased from mid-September onwards, culminating in repeated outbursts of lava and volcanic ash. Large eruption columns formed, causing numerous pyroclastic flows down the heavily populated slopes of the volcano. The 2010 eruption of Merapi was the volcano's largest since 1872.
| 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi | |
|---|---|
False-colour satellite image showing evidence of a large pyroclastic flow along the Gendol River south of Mount Merapi | |
| Volcano | Mount Merapi |
| Start date | 25 October 2010 |
| Start time | 17.02 WIB |
| End date | 30 November 2010 |
| Location | Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia 07°32′27″S 110°26′41″E |
| VEI | 4 |
| Impact | 353 deaths |
Over 350,000 people were evacuated from the affected area. Many others remained behind or returned to their homes while the eruptions were continuing. 353 people were killed during the eruptions, many as a result of pyroclastic flows. The ash plumes from the volcano also caused major disruptions to aviation across Java.
The mountain continued to erupt until 30 November 2010. On 3 December 2010 the official alert status was reduced to level 3, from level 4, as the eruptive activity had subsided.