Monday, August 13, 2007
Earthquake causes concerns about possible volcano eruptions
Volcanologists in Indonesia are keeping a close watch on the country's many active volcanos after a big earthquake shook the main sland of Java yesterday.
There are fears that the earthquake, which measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, might set off new volcanic activity.
Pak Surono, head of Indonesia's Volcanology Centre, said his scientists were closely monitoring two volcanos, Mount Ceremai and Mount Slamet, because the pressure in both was quite high and it was feared the quake might cause them to erupt.
The earthquake, though large, was quite deep in the earth, meaning it was felt over a large area but produced little destructive activity.
Indonesia state oil company, Pertamina, shut down a major refinery in west Java after the quake triggered a power failure and engineers are continuing to assess the situation.
There are fears that the earthquake, which measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, might set off new volcanic activity.
Pak Surono, head of Indonesia's Volcanology Centre, said his scientists were closely monitoring two volcanos, Mount Ceremai and Mount Slamet, because the pressure in both was quite high and it was feared the quake might cause them to erupt.
The earthquake, though large, was quite deep in the earth, meaning it was felt over a large area but produced little destructive activity.
Indonesia state oil company, Pertamina, shut down a major refinery in west Java after the quake triggered a power failure and engineers are continuing to assess the situation.
# posted by kevin : 12:47 PM
