1.3.3

Mount Merapi Eruption

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Causes and Impacts

In November 2010, there was a volcanic eruption from Mount Merapi (Indonesia). This is an example of a disaster in an emerging country.

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Causes

  • The eruption came from a composite cone with a VEI of 4.
  • The volcano is situated at a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australian plate is sliding beneath the Eurasian plate.
  • The eruption was explosive, with thick andesitic lavas and large pyroclastic flows which caused further damage.
  • Large clouds of ash filled the sky and then fell on surrounding areas up to 40km away.
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Impacts

  • There were 353 deaths (some were killed in the panic of evacuating the area), and 500 were injured.
  • 350,000 people successfully evacuated before and during the eruption.
  • Economic losses amounted to US$0.6 billion.
  • The rice harvest on the mountain and surrounding area was lost due to the ashfall.
  • Forested areas on the mountain were destroyed by the pyroclastic flows.
  • A lahar, a violent mudflow of ash and heavy rain caused by the volcano, also caused devastation.

Responses

In November 2010, there was a volcanic eruption from Mount Merapi (Indonesia). This is an example of a disaster in an emerging country.

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Pre-eruption

  • Initial monitoring of the mountain before the disaster predicted that an eruption was likely.
  • Evacuation schemes were put in place for all people within 20km of the volcano
  • Many people decided to ignore the warnings. The 'spiritual guardian of the mountain', and his followers, were some of these people left behind.
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Post-eruption

  • Refugee shelters, of tents and tarpaulins, were set up far enough away from the volcano for those who had evacuated.
  • Local airports were closed due to the volcanic ash plumes.
  • Government aid agencies delivered food, water and hygiene kits (including face masks so people didn't inhale too much ash).

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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