Indonesian volcano stirs after earthquake
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 8:46 pm
Worried villagers perform rituals to warding off an eruption
BANTUL, Indonesia (AP) -- Fresh spurts of lava from a nearby volcano, a strong aftershock and worries about the spread of bird flu are adding to the strain for hundreds of thousands of survivors of Indonesia's devastating earthquake.
Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanos, spewed lava and hot clouds of gas and ash scores of times on Saturday, exactly a week after the magnitude 6.3 quake shook Java island, said Subandriyo, a government scientist. Like many Indonesians, he uses one name.
Merapi's lava dome has swelled in the past week to 330 feet, raising fears that it could collapse, he said. That could release a highly dangerous pyroclastic flow -- a fast-moving burst of high-temperature gases and rock fragments -- burning anything in its path, the government volcanology center said.
Worried villagers in recent days have performed rituals aimed at warding off an eruption. On Thursday, the mountain's royally appointed spiritual guardian, "Mbah" Maridjan, led a silent procession of 100 people three times around a village near the volcano.
Scientists say the quake may have contributed to a weakening of the lava dome.
More than a thousand aftershocks have hit the region since the earthquake struck before dawn just over a week ago, killing at least 6,234 people and injuring 30,000 more. Officials estimate that 135,000 homes were destroyed.
Most aftershocks have been weak, but a recent one jolted survivors awake.
"I picked up my nephew and ran out of the house. It was very strong," said Yudi. There were no reports of damage from the aftershock, measured at magnitude 3.4.
Most of the estimated 647,000 people left homeless are living in makeshift shelters, often just plastic tarps to ward off tropical downpours and the hot sun, with no toilets or running water.
More than 50 people were staying Saturday in two large empty chicken coops in Pentong in Bantul district. Flies buzzed everywhere, and children played barefoot on bamboo slats encrusted with chicken droppings.
The British medical aid agency Merlin said it was concerned that the villagers could catch bird flu or salmonella, and appealed for more tents.
The United Nations issued an urgent appeal on Friday for $103 million to pay for recovery efforts over the next six months -- with about half of that for rebuilding homes.
An international relief effort has picked up pace in recent days, although aid has yet to reach some remote areas.
BANTUL, Indonesia (AP) -- Fresh spurts of lava from a nearby volcano, a strong aftershock and worries about the spread of bird flu are adding to the strain for hundreds of thousands of survivors of Indonesia's devastating earthquake.
Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanos, spewed lava and hot clouds of gas and ash scores of times on Saturday, exactly a week after the magnitude 6.3 quake shook Java island, said Subandriyo, a government scientist. Like many Indonesians, he uses one name.
Merapi's lava dome has swelled in the past week to 330 feet, raising fears that it could collapse, he said. That could release a highly dangerous pyroclastic flow -- a fast-moving burst of high-temperature gases and rock fragments -- burning anything in its path, the government volcanology center said.
Worried villagers in recent days have performed rituals aimed at warding off an eruption. On Thursday, the mountain's royally appointed spiritual guardian, "Mbah" Maridjan, led a silent procession of 100 people three times around a village near the volcano.
Scientists say the quake may have contributed to a weakening of the lava dome.
More than a thousand aftershocks have hit the region since the earthquake struck before dawn just over a week ago, killing at least 6,234 people and injuring 30,000 more. Officials estimate that 135,000 homes were destroyed.
Most aftershocks have been weak, but a recent one jolted survivors awake.
"I picked up my nephew and ran out of the house. It was very strong," said Yudi. There were no reports of damage from the aftershock, measured at magnitude 3.4.
Most of the estimated 647,000 people left homeless are living in makeshift shelters, often just plastic tarps to ward off tropical downpours and the hot sun, with no toilets or running water.
More than 50 people were staying Saturday in two large empty chicken coops in Pentong in Bantul district. Flies buzzed everywhere, and children played barefoot on bamboo slats encrusted with chicken droppings.
The British medical aid agency Merlin said it was concerned that the villagers could catch bird flu or salmonella, and appealed for more tents.
The United Nations issued an urgent appeal on Friday for $103 million to pay for recovery efforts over the next six months -- with about half of that for rebuilding homes.
An international relief effort has picked up pace in recent days, although aid has yet to reach some remote areas.
