Merapi about to erupt in Central Java

Mt. Merapi is now in the final stage before eruption, according to authorities in Central Java. The warning level is now at 4, the highest, meaning everyone in the immediate vicinity must get out. The BBC website has a nice little animated guide to volcanic eruptions. Basically if the gas cloud doesn’t get you, the flying bombs will.

Molten lava has been flowing down the west side of the volcano for a few days now, but the biggest danger is a sudden, powerful eruption, blasting superheated gases, dust and rocks, in all directions. One of the problems for local in the area is getting their land and livestock back if they evacuate. In all probability the land hasn’t been surveyed and registered and ownership has been passed on from generation to generation. If everyone leaves, there could be disagreements in future.