Volcano Woes: Eleven Hikers Perish in Marapi's Fury on Sumatra
With its rumblings since January, Sumatra's Marapi volcano was still an allure for adventurous hikers, oblivious to the impending danger. Regrettably, this curiosity took a tragic turn when the volcano erupted, claiming the lives of at least eleven hikers. Twelve others were reported missing, while nearly 50 hikers managed to evacuate the perilous mountain range [1].
The incident unfolded early Sunday afternoon, with an ash cloud soaring three kilometers high into the sky. The lethal volcanic burst led to a rain of ash in surrounding districts and even shrouded the sky at times. The authorities swiftly enforced an exclusion zone of a three-kilometer radius around the crater, urging residents to remain indoors [1].
The Marapi volcano, standing tall at almost 3,000 meters, is one of the most active in Sumatra. Its last eruption occurred in 2018, with ash ascending up to five kilometers above the crater level [1]. Sumatra, being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, hosting around 130 active volcanoes [2].
Similarly, Merapi, the most dangerous volcano on Earth, is located on the main Indonesian island of Java. This notorious landmark is just one of many factors making the world's largest island state a hub for geological activity [2].
The tragedies that unfolded in the Marapi region reinforce the importance of staying informed and wary of volcanic activity. Regular monitoring, public education, and stringent safety measures are crucial to limiting losses when volcanoes wreak havoc. Yet, the specific safety protocols for Marapi following its latest eruption, on January 26, 2025, at 19:14 WIB (Western Indonesian Time), are scarce in the available data [1].
Relevant Insights
- Intense seismic activity preceded the volcanic eruption, with a maximum amplitude of 30.2 mm on a seismogram and a duration of 29 seconds [1].
- Volcanic ash observed was gray, thick, and rose above the summit to a height of 500 meters. The cloud's best estimate was around 3,391 meters (11,085 feet) above sea level [1].
- With ongoing eruptions and lava dome activity, the public is advised to maintain a distance of 3-7 kilometers away from Merapi's summit [3].
- After verifying safety conditions and ensuring basic needs were met, evacuated residents in the aftermath of an Ibu volcano eruption were allowed to return to their homes [2].
[1] [2] Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) data and reports [3] The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) guidelines on volcanic ash disruption and mudflow safety measures [4] Previous safety protocols and measures related to the Merapi volcano in Java, Indonesia
