BALI, Indonesia (Reuters) — The chance of an eruption remained high as the Mount Agung volcano in Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali continues exhibiting signs of unrest, a geologist said on Friday.
Gede Suantika, a geologist at the Mount Agung Observation Post, said the volcano has maintained a menacingly high level of seismic activity, with tremors shaking the mountain daily since volcanic activity began increasing on Sept. 18.
“The condition of this volcano is still critical, and ready to erupt. But until now we cannot see the eruption, but the activity under the volcano is still high,” said Suantika.
Authorities have issued the highest level alert for the volcano, declaring an area up of to 12 kilometers from the crater as off-limits.
So far, at least 140,000 people have reportedly been evacuated to safer areas.
Despite the danger posed by the volcano, some locals in a village near the volcano, however, have been hesitating to move to temporary shelters.
“If we move to a shelter, I’m afraid it would be difficult for my family to adapt, and that’s why we don’t want to go. It’s better to stay at home. At least so far, I still feel safe. Should there be an eruption, the government would let us know,” said Mulya, a villager living near the volcano.
Mount Agung, which is more than 3,000 meters above sea level, lies in the eastern part of Bali.
It last erupted in 1963, killing more than 1,500 people, according to reports.
