Experts warn eruption at Bali volcano Mount Agung is ‘more likely than not’
A decrease in the energy with which the magma has been rising has raised speculation that the threat may be subsiding, but vulcanologists say it could mean it is rebuilding pressure
Throughout the morning, vulcanologists at a small monitoring post on the Indonesian island of Bali go back and forth between checking instruments to detect volcanic activity and surveying visually for signs of a possible eruption of Mount Agung.
Located in the hilly village of Rendang, about 13km southwest of the mountain, the post has seen an influx of vulcanologists after the highest eruption alert was issued September 22 by the country’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.
Vulcanologist Devy Kamil Syahbana came from the centre in the West Java provincial capital of Bandung soon after the 3,142 metre volcano showed signs of anomalous activity.
“Gassing ... for some volcanoes is normal, but for Mount Agung, it’s different,” Devy told Kyodo News, referring to gases released by active, or in some cases dormant, volcanoes.
Since July, Mount Agung has been discharging small amounts of volcanic gases after being inactive for 53 years.
