Mount Merapi

Question 1

where is Mount Merapi?

Answer 1

Java, Indonesia.
At a destructive plate boundary where the Indo-Australian plate is subducted under the Eurasion plate

Question 2

when was the eruption

Mount Merapi

Answer 2

25th October - 30th November 2010

Question 3

what type of volcano is Mount Merapi?

Answer 3

strato/ composite volcano

Question 4

why is Merapi so hazardous?

Answer 4

• very viscous, sillica rich magma
• explosive eruptions
• frequent pyroclastic flows
• steep slopes meaning fast moving harzards
• dense population living on and around the volcano

Question 5

how many died due to the Mount Merrapi 2010 eruption?

Answer 5

353 deaths

Question 6

how many people were evacuated and what was done to help displaced people?

Answer 6

• 350,000 people evacuated,
• and over 200 temporary shelters were set up for displaced people
• 16,000 new homes were built by the government to replace those lost

Question 7

how far did the pyroclastic flow and ash cloud travel?

Answer 7

• pyroclastic flow travelled up to 15km
• ash cloud reached 17km into the atmosphere

Question 8

what some 2010 Mount Merapi scale and temporal?

Answer 8

• largest eruption in 100 years with multiple explosive events over weeks
• 353 deaths
• 350,00 evacuated

Question 9

what were the primary hazards due to Mount Merapi 2010?

Answer 9

• pyroclastic flow - deadliest hazard that travelled up to 700km/h and 15km
• ash cloud - reached 17km up the atmosphere and ash fall lead to roof collapse, breathing problems and crop failure
• lava flows- high viscosity so slow but still destructive

Question 10

what were the secondary hazards of Mount Merapi 2010?

Answer 10

• lahars - due to heavy rain mixing with ash, destrying roads bridges as villages
• flooding
• water contamination

Question 11

what were the social impacts of the eruption?

Answer 11

• 353 deaths
• 350,000 evacuated from homes leading to many with long-term displacement
• injuries and illness e.g. sulphur dioxide gas caused skin iritation and breathing problems
• damage to over 19,000 homes
• damage to schools and hospitals
• community mental health impacts

Question 12

what are economic impacts of the eruption?

Answer 12

• economic losses of £450 million due to impact on farming, tourism and manufacturing
• destoyed agriculture like coffee and rice
• damage to infastructure (roads and power lines) e.g. 30 bridges damaged
• distruption of trade and economic activity with 2500 flights cancelled
• loss of income for farmers
• cost of evacuations and rebuilding
• slower economic growth and international tourism fell by 70%

Question 13

what were the evironmental impacts of the 2010 Mount Merapi eruption?

Answer 13

• forest destruction with over 200 hectares of forest damaged
• rivers blocked by ash
• short-term ecosystem damage
• long-term soil fertility improved

Question 14

what were the long term and short term responces to the hazard?

Answer 14

short-term
* evacuation of 350,000 people
* 200 emergency temporary shelters set up for displaced people
* aid agencies like the indonesian red cross distributed emergency aid like: food, water, medical supplies
* military and emergency services involved
long-term
* improved monitoring systems and new volcano monitoring centre
* 16,000 new homes built
* hazard mapping and exclusion zones
* education and evacuation drills
* relocation of some high risk communities

Question 15

what is used to monitor and predict volcanic hazards?

Answer 15

• seismometers (earthquakes)
• gas emission measurments
• ground deformation (gps)
• satellite imagery
• continuous observation by indonesian authorities

Question 16

why do people continue to live near mount merapi (benifits)?

Answer 16

• very fertile soil leading to high crop yields
• tourism and jobs
• cultural and spiritual importance
• cheaper land