Officials are also observing lava pool within the volcanic crater , which suggests that the magma bedchamber just beneath the surface is quickly depressurize . The constant tremors being felt around the volcano also suggest the rapid and continual bm of magma toward the venthole .

The alert level is presently at itshighest . The exclusion zona – an area in which no - one may enter – was boom from 6.4 to 12.1 kilometers ( 4 to 7.5 miles ) after scientists expressed business organization about the risk of a major eruption , which will feature extensivepyroclastic flows .

The vent is quite clearly erupting right now , but the patent switching to a magmatic phase is what ’s worrying researchers on the footing .

“ The rays of firing are increasingly observed at night . This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent , ” the National Board for Disaster Management read in a statement , perThe Jakarta Post .

Agung has been dormant for 50 class , and the ash columns symbolize the commencement of its return to bodily function . This bam was drive by the volatile release of superheated groundwater as steam , which is a surefire sign that magma is ascend . The appearance of the " shaft of fire " within the volcanic crater now suggests it ’s moved to a phreatomagmatic degree , where say groundwater mix explosively with refreshed lava .

Although on the nose if , when and how Agung will erupt more dangerously is difficult to say at this period , the authorities are n’t taking any chances . The last major eruption back in 1963 killed 1,600 mass , but the area is far more live these days .

The government is particularly worried about what some are calling “ cold lava flow ” , which are technically named “ lahars ” .

Lahars , whose name derives from the Javanese word for “ flowing lava ” , are a little like mudslides . They ’re very viscous and have the properties of particularly crocked concrete . Unlike ceremonious mudflows , however , they ’re formed from the ash-grey remnants of volcanic eruptions – and they ’re far more serious .

Ash , unlike great deal of dirt , is often very loose and unconsolidated shortly after it ’s deposited . When rain fall on it , it mobilizes as a slurry incredibly quickly , especially on slopes . If you get caught in one that ’s move at 36 kilometers ( 22 miles ) per minute , you canquickly be smothered .

Make no mistake : lahar are often the deadly part of a volcanic eruption . The November 1985 irruption of Colombia ’s Nevado del Ruiz demonstrated this with down lucidness .

Back then , scientists repeatedly warned the local confidence of the danger of the eruption and its subsequent lahar . They were ignore , and as a answer , 23,000 people died .

The Indonesian authorities have ordered the evacuation of a record - break number of people living around Mount Agung , determined that they wo n’t encounter a similar fate – particularly as it ’s showery time of year right now .

At this point , it has to be read that predicting when a vent erupts isnotoriously unmanageable . The less often it erupts , the less certain volcanologists can be as to when the climactic instant will arrive . The best they can do is monitor it , compare their data with preceding blast data – if available – and give as much word of advice as possible without causing unnecessary panic .

In this sense , then , sign repoint toward a major paroxysm within the nigh - future . As always , there ’s a chance Agung will becalm down again and we ’ll be left waiting with bated breath once more .

like signs were in placeback in September , but that activity represent the opening salvo of the recent volcanological activity . Plenty were evacuate at the time but were ultimately never really in any risk .

Now everyone ’s hop they do n’t ignore the monition this clip around , consider it ’ll be another false warning equipment . If they do , it could be the last mistake they ever make . Let ’s trust the volcano ultimatley decides to calm down down again .