Intense activity by deadly volcano has experts baffled - and fearful
The death toll from the eruption of Mount Merapi - "Fire Mountain" - climbed to 44 yesterday, with six more deaths recorded in the past 48 hours.
Even those who have dedicated a lifetime to studying Merapi have been baffled by its erratic behavior since its first eruption on 26 October, which has been followed by more than a dozen other powerful blasts and thousands of volcanic tremors.
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Hide AdThey had earlier hoped that would result in a long, slow release of energy. "But we have no idea what to expect now," said Surono, a state volcanologist.
The fear is that a new lava dome forming in the crater mouth will collapse, triggering deadly surges of superheated ash and gas - known as pyroclastic flows - moving at 60mph.
Though more than 75,000 residents have been evacuated to emergency shelters, dozens risk their lives to check on their livestock and homes.