Strong eruption at Bledug Kesongo mud volcano, Indonesia
A strong eruption took place at Bledug Kesongo mud volcano in Gabusan village area, Indonesia’s Central Java on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, ejecting mud up to 20 m (65 feet) into the air. The eruption follows two weaker ones on December 2.
Bledug Kesongo eruption at 06:00 LT on December 3, 2024. Image credit: Infomitigasi
The Bledug Kesongo mud volcano, also referred to as Oro-oro Kesong, erupted violently between 06:00 and 06:30 LT on December 3, 2024, ejecting mud to a height of about 20 m (65 feet).
Dangerous toxic gases were detected during the eruption, but there were no fatalities or injuries reported.
Two separate eruptions were recorded at Kesongo on December 2, and one on November 29. However, these eruptions while smaller than the one that followed on December 3.
“There were no victims. The current condition is normal,” Parsidi, the head of Gabusan village, confirmed.
Kesongo is situated in Central Java, approximately 150 km (93 miles) east of Semarang, the provincial capital.
According to mud volcano specialist, Dr. Mark Tingay, one person died near Kesongo in April 2023 due to H2S poisoning.
The Kesongo Crater, known for its frequent mud volcano eruptions, periodically releases a combination of mud and sulfuric gas (H2SO4).
The site is a natural geologic feature prone to sudden emissions of high-pressure mud and gases such as methane. These phenomena are related to subterranean pressure buildup within the Earth’s crust.
References:
1 Kawah Oro-oro Kesongo di Blora Kembali Meletus, Ketinggian Capai 20 Meter – KOMPAS.com – December 3, 2024
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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