The activity of magma approaches the peak of Mount Agung, the refugees are increasing

Gunung Agung's activities in Bali remained high with increasing number of shallow vuklanic earthquakes, recorded 38 times over six hours.

Head of Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation PVMBG, Kasbani said the increase in volcanic earthquake shows the movement of magma began to rise to the surface.

"Earthquakes are still high and shallow volcanic earthquakes are increasingly an indication that the source of the eruption is close to the surface of the mountain crater," Kasbani told BBC Indonesia on Sunday (24/09).

 
Based on monitoring from Gunung Agung Observation Post located in Rendang Village, Rendang District, Karangasem, also noted that frequent occurrence of local tectonic earthquake reached 3.5 Richter scale.

From 00.00 - 12.00 Wita recorded 332 times of deep volcanic earthquake, 211 times shallow volcanic and 43 times local tectonic earthquake.

Head of PVMBG Volcano Mitigation, Gede Suantika said the magma activity is located at 1-2 km below the peak of Mount Agung.

However the activity of Gunung Agung is unpredictable, even the decline of status is also possible. "" Uncertain when, depending on seismic activity, "explained Suantika.

In addition to seismic activity, from monitoring also shows the existence of white smoke solfatara at the peak of Mount Agung. "Visually visible white smoke as high as 200 meters at the top of the mountain," he said.

Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation PVMBG has established alert status (level IV) for Gunung Agung.

Meanwhile, flights from and to Bali are still normal, and there has been no disruption.