Indonesian volcano still erupting

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JAKARTA, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The activity of Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano has remained high and the eruptions have been continuous, a senior government geologist says.

"The volcanic activity of Mount Merapi from November 11 to 16 has even been increasing," Surono, the head of the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency, said after a teleconference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Volcanic activity was recorded once on Nov. 1, but it increased to six events on Nov. 12, 26 on Nov. 13, 31 on Nov. 15, 34 on Nov. 15 and 20 times by noon Tuesday, Antara news agency reported.

From Nov. 3 to Tuesday, the volcano was still defined as continuously erupting, Surono said.

A crater resulting from the eruptions has been created at the peak of the mountain in addition to three smaller craters, he said.

"Due to the craters three gleams of fire can be seen at the peak of the mountain at night," he said.

Indonesia has received assistance from geologists from Japan and the United States and has also received an offer from China to help monitor the mountain's activity, he said.