D - Mount Sinabung Eruption (Case Study) Flashcards
Where is Mount Sinabung located and why is it significant?
Mount Sinabung is a volcano in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, a country on the Pacific Ring of Fire that hosts around 120 active volcanoes. Sinabung is currently one of its most active volcanoes.
What is the eruption history of Mount Sinabung?
The volcano erupted in 1600, then remained dormant until 2010, when it began a new phase of activity.
How has the recent activity of Mount Sinabung affected local populations?
Since 2010, over 30,000 villagers have been evacuated from their homes due to the volcano’s activity, driven by the fertile plateau that makes the area attractive for settlement.
What emergency measures were taken during the eruptions?
The Department of Health provided medicines and doctors, while the National Disaster Management Agency supplied food and face masks. Emergency kitchens were established and supplies like blankets, sleeping mats, and tents were distributed.
What human impacts have resulted from the eruptions?
Early evacuations resulted in only one fatality (a person with respiratory issues), but later eruptions in February 2014 killed at least 16 people—occurring just as residents beyond 5 km were allowed to return—and a 2016 eruption killed seven people.
How did the eruptions affect agriculture in the region?
In 2013, ash fall from the volcano led to crop failures, compounding the challenges for local communities.
