Mount Merapi Launches Hot Clouds as Far as 1.3 Kilometers, Volcanic Activity Continues to Increase on Alert Status

Merapi Volcanic Activity/Photo: Special

KabarJawa.com— Mount Merapi again showed dangerous volcanic activity on Saturday afternoon, February 7 2026. The volcano launched hot clouds of avalanches with a sliding distance of up to 1.3 kilometers to the southwest, precisely towards the upstream of Kali Krasak.

This incident emphasizes that Merapi is still in an active eruption phase with Alert activity level (Level III).

Head of the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG), Agus Budi Santosa, explained that the hot cloud occurred at 15.55 WIB.

The seismograph recorded a maximum amplitude of 12 millimeters with a duration of 102.95 seconds, which indicates that the avalanche energy is still quite strong and dangerous.

“There was a hot cloud of avalanche that slid as far as 1,300 meters to the southwest or upstream of the Krasak River. The public must remain alert and comply with the recommendations that have been set,” stressed Agus Budi Santosa.

Intense volcanic activity has been observed since morning

Since early morning, Mount Merapi’s activity has shown significant dynamics. Based on the Volcano Activity Report for the observation period 07 February 2026 at 06.00–12.00 WIB, officers noted cloudy and cloudy weather around the peak of the mountain.

The wind blows calmly to the east with air temperatures ranging from 23.2–23.3 degrees Celsius and humidity 77–82 percent.

Visually, observers can still see the body of the mountain quite clearly until it is covered by a thin layer of fog at level 0–II. Officials did not observe crater smoke during that period, but seismic data actually showed increased activity from within the body of the mountain.

BPPTKG recorded 18 earthquake avalanches with an amplitude of 2–10 millimeters and a duration of up to 185 seconds. Apart from that, officers also recorded 28 hybrid or multi-phase earthquakes with a maximum amplitude reaching 40 millimeters.

This data indicates that the supply of magma from deep within the earth is still ongoing.

This activity triggered four avalanches of incandescent lava which flowed to the southwest, including Kali Sat/Putih, Kali Krasak, and Kali Boyong, with a maximum sliding distance of 1,500 meters. This condition increases the potential for further hot cloud avalanches to occur.

BPPTKG emphasized that the main potential danger for Mount Merapi currently is lava avalanches and hot clouds in the south to southwest sectors.

This threat covers the Boyong River up to a maximum distance of 5 kilometers, as well as the Bedog, Krasak and Bebeng Rivers up to 7 kilometers.

Meanwhile, in the southeast sector, danger threatens the Woro River up to 3 kilometers and the Gendol River as far as 5 kilometers. If Merapi experiences an explosive eruption, the ejection of volcanic material has the potential to reach a radius of 3 kilometers from the peak.

Alert Status Remains in Effect

Until now, Mount Merapi remains in Alert Status (Level III), which has been in effect since November 5 2020.

BPPTKG asks the public not to carry out any activities in potential danger zones and to continue to increase vigilance, especially when rain falls in peak areas and river channels.

Officers also reminded the public to anticipate the dangers of lava, hot clouds of avalanches, and volcanic ash disturbances which could have an impact on health and daily activities.

If there is a significant change in activity, BPPTKG will immediately review the status of Mount Merapi. The public can monitor the development of Mount Merapi’s activities directly through the Merapi Live Streaming service on the Geological Agency’s official link or via the Geological Agency’s WhatsApp broadcast channel.

The government urges the public to only access information from official sources to avoid hoaxes and panic.

As long as volcanic activity is still high, vigilance and compliance with recommendations are the main keys to the safety of residents around the slopes of Merapi. (ef linangkung)