case study Mount Merapi 2010 Flashcards
Where is Mount Merapi located?
In South-east Asia in Indonesia on the island of Java
What type of geological feature is Mount Merapi?
A 1,700m tall stratovolcano, the most active one in Indonesia
What plate tectonic activity caused the eruption of Mount Merapi?
The Indo-Australian plate was subducted underneath the Eurasian plate
When did Mount Merapi erupt in 2010?
On 25 October and lasted for a whole month
What were the primary short-term effects of the eruption?
- Volcanic bombs and heat clouds of 800°C spread over an area of 10km
- Pyroclastic flows spread 3km down the populated mountain sides
- Volcanic ash fell up to 30km away and travelled 6km into the air
- Bronggang village was buried under 30cm of ash, 15km away from the volcano
- Sulphur dioxide was blown across Indonesia, the Indian Ocean and to Australia
What were the secondary short-term effects of the eruption?
- Aviation disruptions across the region due to ash clouds
- Increased vegetable prices due to food shortages from damaged crops
- Over 4,000 cows and farming land were lost due to ash fall
- Roads were blocked with vehicles as 350,000 people fled the area
- Heavy rain in November caused lahars, destroying water supplies and bridges
What are some long-term effects of the eruption?
- Ash will eventually produce more fertile soils
- 353 people killed; 176 from pyroclastic gas and 34 from pyroclastic flows
- 577 people were injured with severe burns or chronic respiratory problems
- Over 350,000 people were made homeless
- Reduction in tourism led to the loss of local livelihoods
What immediate management responses were taken during the eruption?
- 210 evacuation centres were set up in schools and churches
- 1,600 people provided a national aid response as either volunteers or military
- The Indonesian Disaster Management Agency mobilised military and police
- International aid from governments and NGOs like the Red Cross
What long-term management responses were implemented after the eruption?
- Hazard mapping updates led to a 20km exclusion zone around the volcano
- 2,600 people were permanently moved to safer housing
- The government offered money to farmers to replace their livestock
- Dams were built in valleys to hold back current and future lahars
- Improved prediction measures and evacuation procedures were introduced
True or False: Mount Merapi is located on a constructive plate margin.
False
Fill in the blank: The volcanic dome of Mount Merapi was found to be _______ in March.
bulging
What is the height of Mount Merapi?
1,700m
What event caused the lahars in November after the eruption?
Heavy rain
How many evacuation centres were set up during the immediate response?
210
Fill in the blank: The ash from Mount Merapi’s eruption fell up to _______ away.
30km
What is the ongoing exclusion zone set up around Mount Merapi?
2.5km
