Indonesia Cuts Alert Level At Merapi - Reuters

YOGYAKARTA - An Indonesian state agency monitoring Mount Merapi has lowered the volcano's alert status after emissions decreased in recent days, officials at the vulcanology centre said on Tuesday.

Merapi in central Java, near the ancient royal city of Yogyakarta, is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Pacific "Ring of Fire". It has threatened a major eruption for weeks, forcing evacuation of about 18,000 people from its slopes. "Merapi's status was lowered from 'alert' to 'prepared' at 11 a.m.," Triyani, a vulcanologist at the Centre for Volcanological Research and Technology Department, told Reuters.

Some residents who had refused to move were spurred into action after an earthquake shook the Yogyakarta area on May 27, killing more than 5,700 and intensifying volcanic activity.

But after spewing out massive gas clouds and fresh lava flows late last week, Merapi has calmed down.

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