Replies

Hazards of Merapi

The island of Java has more than 600 people per square km, one of the highest population densities in the world. Yogyakarta city, with a population of 3 million, is 15 miles (25 km) south of Merapi. About 70,000 people live in the immediate vicinity of the volcano.

Merapi is a basaltic to basaltic-andesite stratovolcano with a summit crater containing an unstable lava dome. Merapi is Indonesia's most active volcano and well known for partial collapse of lava domes and the generation of pyroclastic flows.

Pyroclastic flows can travel as far as 8 miles (13 km) from the summit and reach speeds of 70 mph (110 km/hr). Pyroclastic flow deposits can be remobilized as lahars.

Direct observations of Merapi have been recorded since 1888. Recent study of tephra deposits on the flanks of the volcano found 27 marker beds that reveal Merapi's past history.

The volcano has had numerous moderate to large (1 million cubic m) eruptions. These eruptions typically begin with pyroclastic flows and are followed by widespread pyroclastic air fall. Plinian to subplinian eruptions are common.

These older deposits indicate that Merapi is capable of eruption styles very different from those currently observed.

Hazards of Merapi

Great Link on the Hazards of the Maripo (sp)

Did I read it wrong or what sounds like a very heavy populated area in a small area.

Not to be stupid or maybe so as it is early/late but where was that Antartica 7.1 toot in reference to this small but Heugh Island eruption?

I still think Art Bellish we are going to have an underground burp here but as long as Alaska is passing gas every couple of hours I trust we won't have any movement...If Alaska goes dorment for more than 48 hours I am a heading to higher ground with Dark Chocolate, Red Wine *IMO is Gross but may be needed for medicinal shock treatments and all my 5 gal water jugs plus the survival gear.

Oh and the family too...

Thanks for the info. I was trying to remember exactly where Merapi is and I see from the post that it is north of Yogyakarta. I have yet to visit it. I've visited one north of Bandung. You could walk right up to the edge of the cone and hike all the way around it. That is, if you could push pass all the vendors which haunt the place. One of their big sellers, btw, was a coon skin cap like Davy Crockett wore. Good grief, I don't go all the way around the world to buy bad American souveniers!

Another time the family went to a volcano on Bali. That morning as we were dressing at the hotel which was a sea level near Kuta, my son asked me if his shorts and tank top would be appropriate dress. Not thinking, I answered yes, they would be fine. It was a very cold drizzle at the top of that volcano! The son has yet to forgive me. LOL!