In late October 2010 the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Geological Agency (CVGHM), (Pusat Vulkanologi & Mitigasi Bencana Geologi, Badan Geologi-PVMBG), reported that a pattern of increasing seismicity from Merapi had begun to emerge in early September. Observers at Babadan west and Kaliurang south of the mountain reported hearing an avalanche on 12 September 2010. On 14 September 2010 white plumes were observed rising above the crater. Lava dome inflation, detected since March, increased from background levels of per day to a rate of per day on 16 September. On 19 September 2010 earthquakes continued to be numerous, and the next day CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Lava from Mount Merapi began flowing down the Gendol River on 23-24 October signalling the likelihood of an imminent eruption.