Mar 28, 2026: Merapi Partial Dome Collapse Caught on Camera

This video captures a partial lava dome collapse at Mount Merapi (Indonesia), sending incandescent lava boulders tumbling down the slope in a dangerous cascade of superheated rock. Events like this are a hallmark of Merapi’s current eruptive phase, where unstable lava domes frequently collapse and generate rockfalls, lava avalanches, and potentially deadly pyroclastic flows. Latest official activity (Feb–March 2026): According to Indonesia’s geological monitoring agency (PVMBG / BPPTKG), Merapi remains in an active eruptive state at Alert Level III (Siaga). Recent reports confirm: • Ongoing lava dome growth and instability • Repeated dome collapses producing pyroclastic flows and rock avalanches • Lava dome volume changes following eruptive events, including a reduction after a mid-February eruption • Frequent incandescent rockfalls traveling up to ~1–2 km down the slopes, especially on the southwest and western flanks Weekly monitoring reports also emphasize that collapse of the steep summit dome continues to generate pyroclastic flows and avalanches, posing ongoing hazards to surrounding areas Why this matters: Dome collapse events like the one seen here are one of Merapi’s most dangerous eruption mechanisms, capable of rapidly escalating into fast-moving pyroclastic flows. Video details: • Event type: Partial dome collapse / incandescent rockfall • Volcano: Mount Merapi, Central Java, Indonesia • Activity level: Alert Level III (Siaga) • Filmed: Nighttime (glow highlights extreme temperatures) Authorities continue to enforce exclusion zones near the summit due to the persistent risk of sudden collapses and pyroclastic flows.