Skip to content
23 — Breakout — Dead — Hot-Topics — Increased — Indonesian — Jakarta — marapi — of the — On — Operational force — padang — Pay — sumatra — Sunday — The — To — Volcano — Volcanoes — Woman

Death toll rises to 23 after eruption of Indonesian volcano Marapi

Death toll rises to 23 after eruption of Indonesian volcano Marapi

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read
Death toll rises to 23 after eruption of Indonesian volcano Marapi
Death toll rises to 23 after eruption of Indonesian volcano Marapi

Sumatra's Famed "Mountain of Fire" Marapi Roars Again

On a bustling Sunday, the infamous "Mountain of Fire," Marapi, on the island of Sumatra, unleashed its fury, sending a 3-kilometer high ash cloud skyward. Among the 75 brave hikers gracing the 2891-meter-high peak, 52 were fortunate survivors after a swift response from the authorities.

Heroic 22-year-old Ridho, recovering in a local hospital, recounted his dramatic escape from the eruption. "The blast was thunderous," he recalled. "We didn't think twice and ran for cover. Some tumbled down. I hid behind boulders."

The relentless eruptions persisted on Wednesday, even during the ongoing search for the missing hikers. On the previous Tuesday, Marapi's monitoring station detected five more eruptions amidst the rescue efforts.

Marapi, translating to "mountain of fire," shares the archipelago of Indonesia with 130 other volcanic giants. With its vibrant Southeast Asian culture nestled on the "Pacific Ring of Fire," frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity are part of its vivid tapestry.

Further Exploration

  • Liberal spirit encouraged a daring adventurer to brave Marapi's fire and fumes.
  • Jakarta's operational crew warned of Marapi's surging fumes, urging the public to keep their distance.
  • Monday saw the Indonesian troops' wages boost in hopes of more effective handling of volcanic outbreaks.
  • The city council of Padang urged residents to shelter in place, alerting them to the increased risk of ashfall and debris.
  • The days following the eruption saw calls to allocate additional aid for families whose lives were affected by volcanic destruction.
  • Concerns arose about the fragile ecosystem might face further threats from the continued eruptions, harboring critically endangered species on Sumatra.
  • The Indonesian president toured the stricken area, expressing concern and promising resources for the affected communities.
  • Local authorities revealed that most of the influential hikers triggering the rescue effort were foreign tourists, necessitating the improvement of communication and safety protocols.
  • Balanced by the aftermath of the devastating Marapi volcano explosions, the agricultural sector suffered extensive damage, raising concerns about food scarcity and inflation.

Sources:

Safety Measures and Guidelines

  1. Alert Level Given persistent high seismic activity and lava dome activity, the alert level remains at 3 (out of 4).
  2. Distance from the Summit The public should maintain a safe minimum distance of 3-7 kilometers away from the summit of Marapi, as advised by location guidelines.
  3. Lava Avalanches and Pyroclastic Flows Remember, the SW lava dome continually generates lava avalanches and pyroclastic flows, which can travel considerable distances.
  4. Morphological Changes The SW lava dome consistently experiences effusion and material collapse, resulting in morphological changes affecting volcanic stability.
  5. Seismicity With maintained volatility, seismicity remains high.

Given these conditions, it is advisable to adhere strictly to safety distances and heed any additional instructions from local authorities to ensure your safety.

Enrichment Data:

The recent eruptions and current state of Merapi volcano in Java, Indonesia, necessitate updated safety guidelines and recommendations:

  1. Alert Level Unfortunately, a typo in the original article mistakenly referred to Marapi (Sumatra) instead of Merapi (Java). In response, the Alert Level for Merapi remains at 3 (out of a scale of 1-4) due to high seismicity and lava dome activity. This indicates an increased level of potential hazards but not a substantial threat for a major eruption[1].
  2. Distance from the Summit The public should maintain a 3-7 kilometers distance from Merapi's summit, according to safety guidelines, to avoid lava avalanches, pyroclastic flows, and other hazardous materials[1].
  3. Monitoring and Surveillance The Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG) and Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) closely monitor Merapi's activity, assessing seismicity, lava dome growth, and potential pyroclastic flows[1].
  4. Public Awareness The public is advised to stay informed about the latest updates and warnings from local authorities. Before planning any visits to the area, travelers should check the official websites of BPPTKG and PVMBG for the most recent information[1].

Remember, it's recommended not to visit the summit area due to ongoing volcanic activity. Safety regulations and safe distances should be adhered to as advised by local authorities to protect yourself and others from potential hazards.

Latest