Mount Merapi Eruption

Geography: Edexcel A Level, topic 1.3.3

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

What was the VEI of the 2010 Mount Merapi eruption?
Which of the following are true statements about the 2010 Mount Merapi eruption?
Why did local airports close straight after the 2010 Mount Merapi eruption?