Mount Agung’s magma continues moving up towards the surface and is now calculated to be at a depth of 1-2 km below the summit.
The rising magma is characterized by the increasing intensity of shallow volcanic earthquakes.
“Deep earthquakes are experiencing a slowdown, but shallow earthquakes are rising slowly, meaning the source of the eruption (the magma) is getting shallower,” said Gede Suantika, the field head of the PVMBG Volcano Mitigation told Kompas.
It was also noted the frequent occurrence of large tectonic earthquakes around Mount Agung. Reaching up to 3.5 RS in magnitude.
From 12 midnight to midday today there were 332 deep volcanic earthquakes recorded, 211 shallow volcanic and 43 local tectonic earthquakes.
According to Suantika, in regard to an eruption it is impossible to say when it will happen. Even the possibility of lowering the status can also occur.
In addition to seismic activity, it was also reported that white sulfuric smoke was seen from a number of places at the peak of Mount Agung. Both from the monitoring post and from the north side of the mountain.
“The white smoke was rising 200 meters from the top of the mountain,” he said.
Residents of Karangasem regency continue to be displaced because of the present status of Mount Agung which continues to be dangerous.
Image: @rachelloveloch
